Turtle spotted off Scottish isles

[WD-40]

A leatherback turtle is the cause for excitement at a wildlife trust after being spotted in the sea off Scotland.

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[Catherine]

I have to add this other link as It provides more info!
http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/n...sp?news_id=247

Note;

'The turtles are typically seen in British waters during the summer months when the swarms of jellyfish they prey on are abundant. They are one of the largest reptiles on the planet with consequently few natural predators. However, leatherbacks are listed as critically endangered due to entanglement in fishing gear and marine litter (a plastic bag looks a lot like a jellyfish!).'

Leatherback Turtles are fairly regularly seen in the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde where huge masses of jellyfish are seen in late summer.

When up in Ardnamurchan some years ago, we watched members of the Trust search for whales in the waters between the furthest west point of the Scottish mainland and the inner isles. They spotted the 'spouts' of several Minke Whales when we were there!

Here are a couple of pics I took - either scanned in printed pics or VERY early digital (can't remember) shots, so rather poor unfortunately - but you get the idea!! It was 27c that day!
- Islands of Eigg, Rum in front of the Cuillins of Skye in the background

(Map of Scotland showing Ardnamurchan Point on this page; Ardnamurchan Point - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

[rolf]

Looks like a lovely place Catherine.