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There is a wealth of wildlife in the area which can often be seen at close quarters. Mammals include a range of carnivores, including wildcat, weasel, stoat, polecat, pine marten, otter, fox and badger. Mink have also unfortunately established themselves here in recent decades other than in wardrobes. They are avaricious killers.

Parts of the area are still strongholds of the appealing red squirrel and hares are not uncommon. Red deer can be spotted on the higher ground and roes are often seen down by the roadsides and adjacent fields. Sikas are also present.

The area is a birdwatchers paradise being home to numerous species including many birds of prey. Regular visitors to the garden and bird-feeders include chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches, siskins, warblers ( Summer visitors) wagtails, robins, tree-creepers and wrens. Fieldfares and redwings flock together in huge numbers with the arrival of autumn. The boldly-marked greater-spotted woodpeckers seem to have become more established here in recent years.

Popular summer visitors in huge numbers are of course the swallows and martins which like our visiting ospreys migrate from the African Continent arriving in March and return there in September.

In addition to the elegant ospreys other birds of prey include the ubiquitous buzzard, the majestic golden eagles, hen harriers, kites, kestrels, sparrow hawks, peregrines, goshawks and recently sea-eagles. We are also fortunate to still see (and hear) barn-owls, as well as tawnies and short-eared. Divers can also be seen, as well of course dippers, herons, a variety of duck and migrant geese around the loch shores.

The lochs and burns are home to a wide variety of fish and some excellent sport can be had. (See Activities and Things to Do Section).

Permits are required and can be obtained locally, as can boat hire ( see services). The fishing is policed by the Loch Awe Improvement Association who work closely with Argyll Fisheries Trust. Between them they are doing an excellent job maintaining the standards on the Loch for all responsible fishermen and women to enjoy. For further information please see the our LAIA page.

For entomologists there are numerous butterflies (including members of the fritillary family, Scotch Argus ), moths and the rare tufted midge. Ask for the highly specialised repellent in the Dalavich Shop or Kilchrenan Inn.

The area, with a generally mild and very occasionally damp climate is host to a wealth of beautiful rhododendrons, primroses ,wood anemones, violets and of course blue bells. Depending on the time of your visit there are numerous fungi, including some tasty woodland varieties, including chanterelles and blewitts. Apart from commercial forestry, there are of course many other species too numerous to mention but including Scots Pine, larch, alder, birch, willow, hazel, wild cherry, rowan, blackthorn, scrub oak, sycamore and beech. Examples of these can be found on many walks in the area.