Editing Islands of the Clyde (section)

== Natural history ==
[[File:Sorbus arranensis.JPG|thumb|The [[Sorbus arranensis|Arran whitebeam]] in flower at [[Eglinton Country Park]], [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]]]

Around the Firth of Clyde, there are populations of [[red deer]], [[red squirrel]], [[European badger|badger]], [[European otter|otter]], [[Vipera berus|adder]], and [[Viviparous lizard|common lizard]]. In the Firth itself, there are [[harbour porpoise]]s, [[basking shark]]s and various species of [[dolphin]].<ref name=wild>[http://www.arranwildlife.co.uk "Natural History"]. Arran Natural History Society. Retrieved 12 May 2012.</ref> Davaar is home to a population of wild [[goat]]s.<ref>[http://www.kintyrecottages.com/mull-of-kintyre.html "About Kildalloig Estate and Davaar Island"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717000818/http://www.kintyrecottages.com/mull-of-kintyre.html |date=17 July 2010 }}. kintyrecottages.com. Retrieved 4 September 2010.</ref>

Over 200 bird species have been recorded as sighted in the area, including the [[black guillemot]], the [[common eider|eider]], the [[peregrine falcon]], and the [[golden eagle]].<ref name=wild/> In 1981, there were 28 [[rock ptarmigan|ptarmigan]]s sighted on Arran, but in 2009 it was reported that extensive surveys had been unable to find any recorded ptarmigans sightings.<ref>"Iconic Birds at Risk" (1 Feb 2009) Glasgow. ''[[Sunday Herald]]''.</ref> Similarly, the [[red-billed chough]] no longer breeds on the island.<ref>[http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/UKSPA/UKSPA-A6-102A.pdf "A6.102a Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (breeding)"] (pdf) JNCC. Retrieved 1 August 2009.</ref>

Arran has three species of the rare [[endemism|endemic]] trees known as [[Arran Whitebeams]]:<ref name=Scotsman>Johnston, Ian (15 June 2007) [http://news.scotsman.com/science/Trees-on-Arran-are-a.3295108.jp "Trees on Arran 'are a whole new species' "] Edinburgh. ''[[The Scotsman]]''. Retrieved 18 June 2007.</ref> the [[Sorbus arranensis|Scottish or Arran whitebeam]]; the [[Sorbus pseudofennica|cut-leaved whitebeam]]; and the [[Sorbus pseudomeinichii|Catacol whitebeam]]. All of them are found only in Gleann Diomhan, and they are amongst the most endangered tree species in the world. (Gleann Diomhan was formerly part of a designated [[National nature reserve (Scotland)|national nature reserve]]—the designation was removed in 2011)- and it continues to be part of an area designated as a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]].)<ref name=cite>{{cite web|url=https://apps.snh.gov.uk/sitelink-api/v1/sites/90/documents/3|title=Arran Northern Mountains SSSI: Site Management Statement|access-date=11 September 2020|publisher=[[NatureScot|Scottish Natural Heritage]]}}</ref> Only 283 Arran whitebeam and 236 cut-leaved whitebeam were recorded as mature trees in 1980,<ref name="Bignal">{{cite journal |title=The endemic whitebeams of North Arran |last=Bignal |first=Eric |year=1980 |journal=The Glasgow Naturalist |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=60–64}}</ref> and it is thought that grazing pressures and insect damage are preventing regeneration of the woodland.<ref name=cite/> The Catacol whitebeam was discovered in 2007, but only two specimens have been found, so steps have been taken to protect them.<ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6754975.stm "New species of tree discovered "] (14 June 2007) BBC. Retrieved 18 January 2011.</ref><ref name="SWT">''New species of tree discovered on Arran''. Scottish Wildlife. November 2007, {{ISSN|0143-1234}} p. 9</ref>