Islay is a haven for seabirds and this issue depicts six species of seabirds native to the island.

These are:
 

15p - Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
25p - Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
50p - Redshank (Tringa totanus)

75p - Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
£1 - Ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
£1.35 - Curlew (Numenius arquata)

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Islay is one of a few places in Scotland where choughs can regularly be seen. It is rare member of the crow family, but can often be seen on The Oa and near Kilchoman. They nest in caves and can be found along the coast, and sometimes farmland. The other species are very common seabirds across Scotland.