Stronsay is one of the ‘other’ Orkney islands. I’ve not been there before because there’s no way of getting there from Westray without going south back to the Orkney mainland and then setting off back north on another ferry to Stronsay. That is, until the Special Summer Excursion ferry run …
There’s a bird calling and we don’t know where it is. The sound is coming from below our feet somewhere on the …
On the cliffs of Westray are two Fulmar resting places. They’re both in the north-end of the island. One is a bare …
I’ve seen Puffins flying underwater in an avian aquarium. They’re incredibly elegant. I’ve seen them flying and been amazed by their speed …
Twite are such beautiful birds. They’re small brown finches, closely related to Linnets. The subtlety of their plumage is just sublime and …
I can see a Black Guillemot in the Atlantic. It has the familiar shape of a Butterfish in its grasp, held tightly …
I love the small bright yellow boat in Pierowall bay. Having called it a boat, someone will probably correct me and tell …
“Is organic food any better for you?”, people ask, as if that’s the only worthwhile question to ask. A follow up question …
There are entire manuals written on posing for portraits. They tell you exactly how to stand, hold your arms and hold your …
As I child I read a book called Magic of the Senses by Vitus B. Droscher, a popular science exploration of the …
I’ve enjoyed the Wrens at Einar this year. They’ve been a joy. Their lives are led in a sheltered garden, full of …
There’s a Tern hunting for fish at the Bay of Tafts. It’s a beautiful day and visibility is good. Amazingly there’s someone …
The encyclopaedia says there are four seasons in temperate latitudes. Billy Connolly, however, said, “There are two seasons in Scotland;Â June and winter”. …
Life on Earth is in dire trouble. The Living Planet Report 2020 reports: “The global Living Planet Index continues to decline. It …
Absolute scenes here today at Einar as the Wrens fledged. I’ve been watching the parents bringing invertebrates into one of my ‘useful …
This time I know what I’m looking for. I’m a man on a mission to find one of Britain’s rarest bumblebees. I’ve …
I’m standing in the garden of Einar, against a stone wall, taking photographs of Swallows. They’re great to practise on because they’re …
I’m on North Ronaldsay for the day. My aim is to cycle and see some wildlife but I’m distracted. There’s a choice …
I’ve been to North Ronaldsay before. It’s an Orkney island which is further north than the south of Norway. Today is one …
Biodiversity is a pretentious term used by people who want to sound as if they understand something that you don’t. Usually, using …
There’s a piece of marshland I regularly trespass on. It’s between a river and a railway and accessible only by climbing down …
Humans and Puffins. We share a love of sunlight on turquoise ocean. And sparkles. We both love sparkles. I’ve just added another …
Umbilicus rupestris is a great scientific name for Wall Pennywort. Its alternative name is Navelwort. I prefer the name Bellybutton plant, but …
Farming near a town must be very stressful. It’s not just the dogs being walked near sheep. Although that’s stressful enough. There’s …
I’ve cycled out to The Wood again. I’m collecting my trail camera (more of which, later) and want to check on the …
Conservation sounds like it should be a good thing, a thing with which everyone agrees. We all want to conserve the natural …
I’ve seen Bee Orchids before. I went all the way to Brixham to search for them and was successful. They were a …
Bluebells are a woodland species. Here, on Dartmoor, there are fields of them. It used to be forest but we cut all …
I’m having a wander through the reeds in the heat of the sun. I can hear the robotic call of the Reed …
I worked in Bristol for several years and frequently diverted my route across the city to see the Edward Everard building. Everard …