Cuckoo Ray on Achmelvich Beach
On 25th June 2012 Fiona Logan, a visitor to Assynt, discovered a sadly near death Cuckoo Ray, Raja naevus stranded on the beach at Achmelvich. She took these great photographs of this captivating ray.
Cuckoo Rays are one of the rarest european rays and live on clean seabeds in depths from 20 – 150 metres. They are found from the north of Scotland and southern Norway down the Atlantic coast and North Sea into the west of the Mediterranean Sea. The ‘eyes’ on the wings are diagnostic.
The young feed on shrimps and worms while the adult’s diet is young fish. This ray can grow to a length of 70 cms.
When Andy Summers, the Highland Council Ranger, visited the following day there was no sign of the ray.
Another example of the magnificent wildlife to be found in our underprotected seas.