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17 September 2014
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Island activities

Isle of Arran

The UK's islands offer amazing opportunities for wildlife watching in winter.

Islands are often milder than inland areas and contain a diverse selection of wildlife from birds of prey to creepy crawlies.

Golden Eagle territory - the Isle of Arran


Why not take a few tips from the Nature's Calendar team as we get close to wildlife with three activities that you can participate in.

Watching Golden Eagles on Arran

Golden Eagle (Image: RSPB Images and Chris Gomersall)Look out for Golden Eagles in late winter when the adults start to 'display' as a precursor to the breeding season.

Watch for the birds performing a spiralling display where they weave in and around each other - they do this all year round but it's more intense and spectacular just before the breeding season.

These birds are believed to mate for life and they frequently have more than one nest. They can sometimes have up to 10 nest sites which they alternate between.

The birds have a six feet wing span which makes them stand out.

Keep your eyes peeled for ledges and crags - nests can be up to 10 feet across and four feet deep so they tend to stand out.

Look for the birds using the rising air of the mountain sides to rise and spiral high.

A telescope and a tripod are essential because these birds can move quickly.

The best places to see Golden Eagles on Arran are located to the north of the island.

February is a good month for watching these giant birds of prey when they are particularly active and you may even see them nest building in advance of the breeding season.

Fossil hunting on the Isle of Wight

AmmoniteThe Isle of Wight is one of the best places in the British Isles for fossil hunting.

Although some fossils are easy to spot, others are less easy to find.

Compton Bay is a good place to try your hand at fossil hunting because it contains a fossil forest.

Others include Chilton Chine and Brighstone Bay.

The Dinosaur Isle Museum on the island runs field trips.

Safety advice:

* Consult the tide times before you leave home - these are available from Tourist Information shops and on the Admiralty website.

* Avoid visiting a coastal location if there is a rising tide or slightly stormy weather. It is easy to get trapped, particularly at localities like the fossil forest at Hanover point, which is submerged for most of the day.

* Wear a hard hat. Although most fossil hunters don't bother, this could be a life saver if someone above you on a cliff throws rocks down to the beach below.

* If you are using a Hammer, wear safety goggles.

* Be careful with your hammering - do not hammer continuously at the same cliffs as this can weaken them and make them unsafe.

* Don't climb up the cliffs as they can be unstable and dangerous due to the softness of the clay.

* Avoid walking on rock falls or mudflows, as these are dangerous in winter. At Barnes High there is a thick, orange, gluey sludge that oozes out of the cliff, and people have had to be pulled out.

* If you are out collecting fossils alone, tell friends or relatives where you are going in case you get stuck and need to be rescued.

Spider watching on the Isle of Man

British Cave SpiderThe Isle of Man is one of the best places to see the British Cave Spider - contact the Manx Wildlife Trust for details of trips.

You'll need to look up at the ceiling but remember to keep your mouth closed when you're looking up - you never know what might drop down!

Watch out for the spiders' egg sacs suspended from the ceiling - they look like balls of silk - you can tell them from their large teardrop shape and their resemblance to cotton wool.

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