GOLDEN EYE

A medium sized diving duck with a circular white patch in front of its yellow eye. It is a winter visitor to Arran with sightings from November to March. Sightings of groups have been at Sannox Bay, Cordon, Lochranza and Clauchlands. Feeding during the day on a wide range of invertebrates, the goldeneye captures its prey on or near to the sea or river bed after a short dive with the wings closed and tail spread. Diving for over 30 seconds to depths of four metres, it forages amongst submerged vegetation and overturns small rocks and stones.

4cm x 9cm