A Little Ray Rescue

Paul's tale of a most remarkable wildlife discovery on Dunnet Beach

As a ranger, I’m often called on by the public to advise on wildlife in need of help. Assisting wildlife to thrive, really brings a lot of joy into life – through a personal nature connection. I had my own positive experience last year with a wildlife rescue and release which I wanted to share.

I was out enjoying a walk with the dog, on Dunnet Beach in north Caithness. It was early in March, following a period of stormy weather when I spied a quite sizeable ray egg case (mermaid’s purse) laying amongst the tangle of strewn seaweed. I am very familiar with the regular egg cases found on the shore but this one was unusual. I could tell from the weight that it still had an occupant inside.

Safely back at base, a quick shine through the egg case with a torch, revealed a silhouette of a small round body with a long, rapidly beating tail. I quickly placed the egg case in a bowl of fresh seawater, with a very light squeeze to expel the air and help it sink. Our new friend was given the nick name of ‘Little Ray’.

The Shark Trust website www.eggcase.org has an egg case section; using this I identified Little Ray belonged to the Raja brachyura species (aka Blonde Ray). This species is more commonly found in the south of the British Isles, so it was no wonder it was unfamiliar to me here in the far north of Scotland.

The next few weeks entailed regular trips to the shore to collect fresh seawater to help ensure a good supply of oxygen in the small fish tank, which Little Ray now called home.

The beating of it’s tail is how a young ray circulates fresh, oxygenated, water in and out of the egg case. I regularly checked to ensure his tail was still moving and installed a small air pump, which also helped to keep plenty of oxygen in the water.

On the morning of seventeenth of April, an excited shout from my wife alerted me to the wonderful fact that overnight, Little Ray had emerged. There on the bottom of the tank was a perfectly formed, miniature blonde ray, right next to his now empty egg case.

Plenty of photographs and short videos were taken of this simply beautiful creature, happily swimming around the tank. Later that same morning I took Little Ray back to Dunnet Bay and released him back into the wild, watching him swim away to hopefully develop into a fine adult blonde ray.

These little glimpses into the often-unknown world of such creatures, are one of the joys of working as a High Life Highland Countryside Ranger. This chance encounter led to quite an effort but was rewarded by a simply magical outcome.

Always keep your eyes open for any chance to help our struggling wildlife, in any way possible. Believe me the rewards are immeasurable. If you are in any doubt as to if wildlife is in genuine trouble, always seek professional advice before disturbing it. Your local Ranger will be pleased to chat to you and point you in the right direction. Making space for nature can really bring a ‘little ray’ of sunshine into your life.

Why not join in the Shark Trusts Great Egg Case Hunt this year?!

Originally published in the Highland News Media’s Making Space for Nature May 2023

Paul Castle is the dedicated Countryside Ranger for North Sutherland and North Caithness with High Life Highland. Paul has devoted over two decades, to the ranger service of this area. His commitment reflects his love for the area, marked by its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, friendly communities and rich natural heritage. Paul's work plays a pivotal role in promoting and protecting the wildlife, flora, and fauna that make this part of Scotland so extraordinary.