Kylerhea (Skye) Otter Haven

dinners

dinners

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Phil
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Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

I'm going to be spending some time at Glenelg this year and wondered if anybody had been to the wildlife hide at Kylerhea Otter Haven.

I don't have a new 'long' lens yet and if I still don't have it before I go - I'd be looking to hire something suitable.

I know the area well but I've never been to the haven. Firstly I was wondering if anybody has been there and with distances in mind what minimum length of lens would be required.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/...landNoForestKylerheaKylerheaOtterHavenCarpark
 
Hi there,

I visited the hide out of curiosity a couple of years ago with a 300mm + 1.4TC. Unfortunately that was nowhere near long enough to frame any birds on the shoreline

I'm not a wildlife tog and don't really have any interest in it so I cannot say if the location is worth a visit or not
 
Thanks for that.

I was wondering if that might be the case.
 
iGiDK - Do you khink 400mm on a crop sensor would give the required length ?
 
I went last year whilst on holiday. At that time I too was without a long lens but comparing the distance from the hide there to some of the distances I have been taking photos of seal in the last week I think you are still going to be too far away even with 400mm on a crop. Also the hide is a lot higher the the shore line so the angle is not so good. I was told Broadford harbour was better for otters.
 
Phil,

If you have the time, visit the 'Brightwater' centre in Kyleakin (turn left after crossing the bridge to Skye) and you can arrange a visit to the sanctuary at Eilan Ban, just on the mainland side of the bridge. You could possibly get a lot closer to the otters with somne quiet fieldcraft.

See Here - Brightwater
 
I have family in Glenelg and have spent many weeks in my youth up there! The hide is a fair old distance from the shoreline. I reckon you'd want a 400mm at least, pref with a tc.

Plenty of great photo ops around though. Brochs down the road, the cuillins just the other side.
 
dinners said:
iGiDK - Do you khink 400mm on a crop sensor would give the required length ?
Click to expand...

No I don't think so, as I was shooting with a 40D at the time using the 300 + 1.4xTC combo

One other thing, when I went the hide was rammed with kids and parents, so there was quite a bit of noise - I don't think that helped our chances of seeing any otters!
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I know the area well so I've got some ideas for places but thanks for the alternatives.

If I have my 100-400 by the time I go then great but if not I'll be sticking with my landscapes - plus the compact will be with me for some of the climbs.

I'm actually staying just south of Glenelg at Eilanreach but thought I'd ask about the hide as it's not far off the Kylerhea ferry.
 
we went there last september, had the 400/5.6 on my 50D and the otter is still pretty much a blob in the distance......will post the pic later

the hide is miles away from the water where the river joins the sea and very elevated giving not very nice angles for wildlife shooting

might be worth getting down along the waters edge and scouting around and waiting for a hopefully closer encounter

would recommend the underwater viewable boat trip from kyle of lochalsh as we saw otters out and about under the skye bridge on the water

drew
 
Cheers Drew.

I'll be going on the underwater boat. Been on it before and my eldest daughter loved it.

Sounds like the hide is a bit far so I think you're right about the shoreline being my best bet.
 
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