Welcome to the website of the Islay Natural History Trust

The Trust runs the Natural History Centre in Port Charlotte where displays illustrate the island's wildlife riches, from its underlying geology to its birds, butterflies, wild flowers and mammals.

The Trust publishes four newsletters a year, one of which doubles as an annual report with a brief summary of the year's natural history, an account of the monthly evening talks at the Natural History Centre, as well as the annual accounts. The Trust also publishes checklists of birds, butterflies and dragonflies, mammals and reptiles, and wild flowers.

Islay is perhaps best known for its wonderful all-year-round birdwatching, for its tens of thousands of wintering geese, over 100 breeding species and spring and autumn migration. Full details of the best birdwatching sites can be found here.

Use the buttons on the left to find out more about the Trust, the latest bird and other natural history news and to view images including our Barn Owl webcam (new in 2008).

Photographs show the inside of the Natural History Centre, including some of the displays, library, lecture room and laboratory, which houses marine and freshwater aquaria and the touch table.

Don't miss the pages of photographs of recent or unusual animals, birds, etc.

You can access our database of natural history records here