Tarbert Wildlife

The wildlife in and around Tarbert is both plentiful and diverse. Starting with the lochs and shores of Tarbert, at the very end of Harbour Street, over a few rocks is a small cove, the shells from the clams (scallops) were saved from the factories here and all gathered forming this spectacular little gem known as "Shell Beach". These clams are found on the bottom of the sandy sea and loch beds, some fishing vessels use dredges to catch these for selling.

Also in Loch Fyne and the surrounding waters, there is many other species of sea life. Prawns are found on the bottom of the Lochs, also fish that are common here are Loch Fyne salmon, both wild and farmed, whiting, haddock and cod stocks are also plentiful. Mackerel is also plentiful in these waters and often caught in numbers by fishermen on the East Pier. Many times whilst fishing a welcome visitor, a wild harbour seal, is usually playing in the waters attracted by the gathering fish lured by the fishermens' bait. Sometimes it also possible to see the odd seal actually swimming in the harbour, not to mention some dogfish swimming in their small groups in these waters especially at low tides.

Many types of shells, and unusual pebbles are also hiding small creatures and molluscs of which the regular harbour visiting birds feed upon. Alot of birds are found feeding at low tide amongst the 'Bladder Whack', this seaweed is home to many types of crabs. In the still waters during high tide it is possible to see the crabs air bubbles swirl to the surface, a real giveaway of the crabs.

What about birds ? Well, the ornithologist would be very happy here, with plenty of winged species to study and to photograph. Of course, Tarbert being a harbour village it is home to many common gulls which are often seen flying around. If you are lucky and if you have a powerful camera, you may of an early evening see a fishing boat still at the entrance of the harbour from Loch Fyne in which the crew will be getting rid of unwanted catches and swarms of the common gulls are swooping around the deck and the vessel trying to get their share. If you havnt seen it before, it is quite a spectacle.

It is not uncommon to see jellyfish in the waters here, not within the harbour itself, but more towards Loch Fyne. They can be seen swimming slowly to the surface and then disappearing back down below in the clear and still summer waters.

Swans are welcome visitors here, a pair of swans live in a secret location and are always in the harbour close to the passers by, they come in to feed in the waters and this year they were accompanied by their signets. Its a graceful sight to watch these beautiful birds glide across the water in the sunlight in the long line formation.

Deer are a common sight here in Tarbert, many are seen on the roads on the way to Tarbert and often just before you enter so it is wise to be wary and watch your speed. Sometimes during the early hours of the morning when all is quiet, you may well see one in your garden munching on the vegetables you have there. They live in large numbers here in the surrounding hillsides. Also just on the southside of Tarbert is a deer farm, next to the road where you can see plenty of these marvellous creatures living and feeding.

Birds of prey are plentiful here in the highlands of Scotland, especially along the road to Oban, and along the road to Campbeltown and if you are lucky you may see a kestrel or such like on one of the many walks in and around Tarbert.

If you are very lucky during your stay here you may get to see basking sharks in the waters of Loch Fyne. They are the second largest fish in the sea and quite harmless in almost all circumstances. The basking shark feeds on plankton and therefore does not rely on a diet consisting of large meat such as other sharks like the great white are renowned to do.