Editing Hebrides (section)

==Natural history==
In some respects the Hebrides lack biodiversity in comparison to mainland Britain; for example, there are only half as many mammalian species.<ref>Murray (1973) p. 72.</ref> However, these islands provide breeding grounds for many important [[seabird]] species including the world's largest colony of [[northern gannet]]s.<ref>[http://www.kilda.org.uk/frame2.htm "Seabirds"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603050143/http://www.kilda.org.uk/frame2.htm |date=3 June 2013 }}. National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 20 July 2013.</ref> Avian life includes the [[corn crake|corncrake]], [[red-throated diver]], [[rock dove]], [[black-legged kittiwake|kittiwake]], [[black guillemot|tystie]], [[Atlantic puffin]], [[common goldeneye|goldeneye]], [[golden eagle]] and [[white-tailed eagle|white-tailed sea eagle]].<ref>[[#FFD69|Fraser Darling (1969)]] p. 79.</ref><ref>[http://www.duntulmcastle.co.uk/skye_wildlife.php "Trotternish Wildlife"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191741/http://www.duntulmcastle.co.uk/skye_wildlife.php |date=29 October 2013 }} Duntulm Castle. Retrieved 25 October 2009.</ref> The latter was re-introduced to Rùm in 1975 and has successfully spread to various neighbouring islands, including Mull.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news |last=Watson |first=Jeremy |date=12 October 2006 |title=Sea eagle spreads its wings... |location=Edinburgh |newspaper=Scotland on Sunday}}</ref> There is a small population of [[red-billed chough]] concentrated on the islands of [[Islay]] and [[Colonsay]].<ref>Benvie (2004) p. 118.</ref>

[[Red deer]] are common on the hills and the [[grey seal]] and [[common seal]] are present around the coasts of Scotland. Colonies of seals are found on [[Oronsay, Inner Hebrides|Oronsay]] and the Treshnish Isles.<ref>[http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-species/which-and-how/mammals/seal-protection/ "Protected mammals – Seals"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920135905/http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-species/which-and-how/mammals/seal-protection/ |date=20 September 2017}}. Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 6 March 2011.</ref><ref>Murray (1973) pp. 96–98.</ref> The rich freshwater streams contain [[brown trout]], [[Atlantic salmon]] and [[Eurasian water shrew|water shrew]].<ref>[[#FFD69|Fraser Darling (1969)]] p. 286.</ref><ref>[http://www.trout-salmon-fishing.com/scotland-skye.htm "Trout Fishing in Scotland: Skye"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129122049/http://www.trout-salmon-fishing.com/scotland-skye.htm |date=29 January 2018 }} Trout & Salmon Fishing. Retrieved 29 March 2008.</ref> Offshore, [[minke whale]]s, [[orca]]s, [[basking shark]]s, [[porpoise]]s and [[dolphin]]s are among the sealife that can be seen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/strategy/trends/SNH_Trends_sea.pdf |title=Trends – The Sea |publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage |access-date = 1 January 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120225051340/http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/strategy/trends/SNH_Trends_sea.pdf |archive-date = 25 February 2012 |url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.whalewatchingtrips.co.uk/species.htm "Species List"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602015619/http://www.whalewatchingtrips.co.uk/species.htm |date=2 June 2018}}. www.whalewatchingtrips.co.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2010.</ref>
[[File:Benbecula Ruabhal View.jpg|thumb|right|The open landscapes of [[Benbecula]]]]
Heather moor containing [[Calluna|ling]], [[Erica cinerea|bell heather]], [[Erica tetralix|cross-leaved heath]], [[Myrica gale|bog myrtle]] and [[fescue]]s is abundant and there is a diversity of Arctic and alpine plants including [[Sagina|Alpine pearlwort]] and [[Minuartia|mossy cyphal]].<ref>Slack, Alf "Flora" in [[#Slesser70|Slesser (1970)]] pp. 45–58.</ref>

[[Loch Druidibeg]] on South Uist is a [[national nature reserve (United Kingdom)|national nature reserve]] owned and managed by [[Scottish Natural Heritage]]. The reserve covers 1,677 hectares across the whole range of local habitats.<ref>[http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/nnr/large_print/Loch%20Druidibeg.pdf "Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve: Where Opposites Meet".] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205902/http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/nnr/large_print/Loch%20Druidibeg.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }} (pdf) SNH. Retrieved 29 July 2007.</ref> Over 200 species of flowering plants have been recorded on the reserve, some of which are nationally scarce.<ref>[http://www.isle-of-south-uist.co.uk/attractions-south-uist.htm "South Uist and Eriskay attractions"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114203456/http://www.isle-of-south-uist.co.uk/attractions-south-uist.htm |date=14 January 2015 }} isle-of-south-uist.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2010.</ref> South Uist is considered the best place in the UK for the aquatic plant [[Najas flexilis|slender naiad]], which is a [[European Protected Species]].<ref>[http://www.jncc.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/species.asp?FeatureIntCode=S1833 "Higher plant species: 1833 Slender naiad"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013171830/http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/species.asp?FeatureIntCode=S1833 |date=13 October 2010 }} JNCC. Retrieved 29 July 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19942716_en_10.htm "Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 2716 "] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518044124/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19942716_en_10.htm |date=18 May 2009 }} Office of Public Sector Information. Retrieved 5 July 2010.</ref>

[[European hedgehog|Hedgehogs]] are not native to the Outer Hebrides—they were introduced in the 1970s to reduce garden pests—and their spread poses a threat to the eggs of ground nesting wading birds. In 2003, Scottish Natural Heritage undertook culls of hedgehogs in the area although these were halted in 2007 due to protests. Trapped animals were relocated to the mainland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/campaign.htm |title=Campaign to stop the slaughter of over 5000 Hedgehogs on the Island of Uist |publisher=Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue |access-date=1 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827031217/http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/campaign.htm |archive-date=27 August 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ross |first=John |date=21 February 2007 |title=Hedgehogs saved from the syringe as controversial Uist cull called off |location=Edinburgh |work=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref>