At first glance it can seem that there is not much wildlife so well camouflaged are the creatures living in the uplands. You need to stand still, look and listen.
Voles and mice abound scurrying through the undergrowth. In spring in all the still water bodies there are numerous frogs. These provide food for buzzards which can be seen wheeling above the hills uttering their eerie and lonely cries.
There are lots of deer in the area. You have just to know where to look and be aware of the seasons. In summer the herds are found on top of the ridges or you may disturb individual animals in the woodlands by the rivers. In winter and spring the herds are forced to seek food in the lowlands and then it is easy to spot them walking across the valley floor in front of the house at all times of the day. At dusk animals also come down to the valley floor and it is rare to drive from Achnasheen to Coulags without encountering several animals by the road.
Birds
Coulags is alive with bird song in spring. There is a wide range of birds given the varied habitats. On the uplands I have occasionally seen grouse. Fionn abhainn has a resident dipper which hops and swims its way underwater in search for food. In spring it is often possible to see snipe feeding in the small burns which wander over the more and if not see their characteristic call can be heard. Buzzards wheel above the house and sit on nearby trees and posts. Eagles have been spotted. Close to the house there are a huge range of finches and tits. At night a tawny owl hunts in the area and I have several times seen a barn owl hunting close to the river. Over the last couple of summers a cuckoo seems to have been around - but obviously not diligently nest building! Flocks of ducks and geese fly over head.
Look closely.
Ptarmigan
Sgurr nam Ceannaichean.
