Kilcreggan’s otter has not been spotted in recent weeks, but this cheeky creature was spotted in the Gareloch taking in the view from the bow of a boat.
And both sightings have been featured by an international charity which seeks to protect the species.
Earlier this year an otter was caught on camera by Kilcreggan’s piermaster and then by a skipper of the ferry.
And that prompted a Clynder resident to get in touch, saying an otter had also been spotted there.
Robin Flannagan has also seen kingfishers from his home close to the loch and has captured some great images.
“We live right in the middle of the village beside the water,” he said.
“I’m always keeping an eye open for wildlife in the loch and we’ve been really lucky to watch these animals.
“I’d seen the kingfisher a few times and they are very small and rapid. I would get to know when it would turn up – high water, flat calm, very cold. I sat for over an hour and eventually got a good picture.
“A couple of months ago my daughter Abigail, who’s eight years old, and I were on our paddle board and saw it again.
“The otter has been seen by quite a few people, it’s obviously happy here.”
The Kilcreggan and Clynder otters were both featured – alongside updates from Guyana, Sri Lanka, Austria and Vietnam – in the latest newsletter produced by the International Otter Survival Fund, which runs a sanctuary for the mammals on Skye.
The newsletter states: “Although otters are usually quite shy creatures, they can get used to areas of increased activity and become comfortable in busier places, such as local harbours.
“This otter clearly had no reason to fear locals but it is important to maintain a safe distance from the animal as it is still wild and will defend itself.”
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