Editing Isle of Lewis (section)

== Nature ==
{{main|Nature of the Outer Hebrides}}
There are 15 Sites of Special Scientific Interest on Lewis in the biology category, spread across the island. Additionally, the [[Lewis Peatlands]] are recognised by [[Scottish Natural Heritage]] as a [[Special Protection Area]], [[Special Area of Conservation]] and a [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] site, showing their importance as a wetland habitat for migratory and resident bird life.<ref name="snhsitelink"/>

=== Birds ===
Many species of seabirds inhabit the coastal areas of Lewis, including [[European shag|shag]], [[northern gannet|gannet]], [[northern fulmar|fulmar]], [[Black-legged kittiwake|kittiwake]], [[common guillemot|guillemot]], and gulls. [[Red grouse]] and [[Eurasian woodcock|woodcock]] are found in the interior.

In the [[Uig, Lewis|Uig]] hills, it is possible to spot both [[golden eagle|golden]] and [[white-tailed eagle]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=White-tailed Eagle |url=https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/nature/bird-of-prey-trail/birds-of-prey/white-tailed-eagle |website=Visit Outer Hebrides |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>  In the [[Pairc]] area, [[Eurasian oystercatcher|oystercatchers]] and [[Eurasian curlew|curlews]] can be seen. A few pairs of [[peregrine falcon]]s inhabit the coastal cliffs and [[merlin (bird)|merlin]] and [[common buzzard|buzzard]] are common everywhere on hill and moor. An important feature of the winter bird life is the great diversity of wildfowl. Several species of [[waterfowl]], including [[common eider|eider]] and [[long-tailed duck]], are found in the shallow water around Lewis.<ref name="cne-siar">{{cite web | title=Wildlife Fact File | website=cne-siar.gov.uk | date=2008-09-29 | url=http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/environment/wildlife.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107092742/http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/environment/wildlife.htm | archive-date=2008-11-07 }}</ref>

=== Marine life ===
[[File:Atlantischer Lachs.jpg|thumb|200px|Atlantic salmon]]Salmon frequent several Lewis rivers after crossing the Atlantic. Many of the fresh-water lochs are home to fish such as trout. Other freshwater fish present include [[Arctic char]], European eel, 3 and 9 spined [[stickleback]]s, thick-lipped [[Mullet (fish)|mullet]] and [[flounder]].

Offshore, it is common to see [[grey seal]]s, particularly in Stornoway harbour, and with luck, dolphins, [[harbour porpoise]]s, sharks and even the occasional whale can be encountered.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marine Life|url=https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/nature/wildlife/marine-life|website=Visit Outer Hebrides}}</ref>

=== Land mammals ===
There are only two native land mammals in the Western Isles: [[red deer]] and [[Eurasian otter|otter]]. The [[European rabbit|rabbit]], [[mountain hare]], [[European hedgehog|hedgehog]], [[feral cat]], [[European polecat|polecat]] and both [[brown rat|brown]] and [[black rat]]s were introduced. The origin of mice and voles is uncertain.<ref name="cne-siar"/>

[[American mink]], another introduced species (escapees from [[fur farming|fur farms]]), cause problems for native ground-nesting birds, the local fishing industry and poultry farmers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/wisles/species.asp |title=SNH – Hebridean Mink Project |access-date=30 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008092550/http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/wisles/species.asp |archive-date=8 October 2007 }}</ref> Mink have been successfully eradicated<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/5306182.stm|title=New campaign waged against mink|date=1 September 2006|via=BBC News }}</ref> from the Uists and Barra. The second and ongoing phase of the Hebridean Mink Project aims to rid Lewis and Harris of mink in similar fashion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/wisles/intro.asp |title=Hebridean Mink Project |access-date=30 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008092440/http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/wisles/intro.asp |archive-date=8 October 2007 }}</ref>

There are claims that the Stornoway castle grounds are home to bats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.echoesecology.co.uk/documents/AnIntroductionToTheBatsofScotlandEdition1Dec2006_002.pdf |title=An Introduction to the Bats of Scotland |access-date=6 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200951/http://www.echoesecology.co.uk/documents/AnIntroductionToTheBatsofScotlandEdition1Dec2006_002.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref> In addition, some residents keep farm animals such as Hebridean sheep, Highland cattle or kyloe and a few pigs.

=== Reptiles and amphibians ===
[[File:Dragonfly in Lewis.JPG|thumb|right|[[Damselfly]] near Valtos, Uig]]In common with Ireland, no snakes inhabit Lewis,<ref name="Morris 1984">Morris, Dr P. (1984). ''Animals of Britain, Field Guide to the''. London: Reader's Digest Association</ref> only the [[slowworm]] which is merely mistaken for a snake. Actually, a legless lizard, it is the sole member of its order present. The common frog may be found in the centre of the island<ref name="Morris 1984"/> though it, along with any newts or toads present are introduced species.<ref name="cne-siar"/>

=== Insects ===
The island's most famous insect resident is the Scottish [[Highland midge|midge]] which is ever-present near water at certain times of the year.

During the summer months, several species of butterflies and dragonflies can be found, especially around Stornoway.

The richness of insect life in Lewis is evident from the abundance of carnivorous plants that thrive in parts of the island.

===Flora===
[[File:Hebridean Sundew.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sundew]] near Valtos]]The [[machair]] is noted for different species of orchid and associated vegetation such as various grasses. Three [[Ericaceae|heather]]s; [[common heather|ling]], [[bell heather]] and [[cross-leaved heath]] are predominant in the large areas of moorland vegetation which also holds large numbers of [[insectivorous]] plants such as [[sundew]]s. The expanse of heather-covered moorland explains the name ''Eilean an Fhraoich'', [[Scottish Gaelic]] for "The Heather Isle".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news|title=News &#124; The Scotsman|website=www.scotsman.com}}</ref>

Lewis was once covered by woodland, but the only natural woods remaining are in small pockets on inland cliffs and on islands within lochs, away from fire and sheep. In recent years, [[Forestry Commission]] plantations of [[spruce]] and pine were planted, although most of the pines were destroyed by moth infestation. The most important mixed woods are those planted around [[Lews Castle]] in Stornoway, dating from the mid-19th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/environment/flora.htm|title=Fact File|date=14 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914175550/http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/environment/flora.htm|archive-date=14 September 2008}}</ref>