I’ve had a few trips recently to the far north of Westray. It’s a great place to go as it’s too far for most people to walk, so the wildlife remains undisturbed. On the cliffs of Aikerness sit a group of Tysties, or Black Guillemots, as they are known outside …
There’s a male House Sparrow chirping insistently on a bare patch of ground. He’s fluffed up his belly and is enjoying the …
I had a message that there was a Red-Throated Diver, Gavia stellata, in one of Westray’s many bays a few days ago. …
They say ‘Take only photographs, leave only footprints’. The Dunlin wading in the mud in the pools at the north end of …
It’s Wednesday, so it’s time for the first in my series on Working Westray. Here’s my good neighbour Alistair sharpening one of …
The Arctic Skuas on the Westside have a chick. It appears to be bigger than they are. It’s easy to see the …
It’s my only chance this year to go to North Ronaldsay from Westray. There’s an inter-island excursion, with a ferry which goes …
There’s a Ringed Plover nest here, next to the footpath, near the coast: I can tell that because, as I walk past, …
Eurasian Oystercatchers are loud in volume and loud in plumage. There are no words for skulking, camouflage or whisper in the Oystercatcher’s …
There’s a Northern Gannet colony at Noup Head on Westray. Whenever there’s a breeze in the right direction the Gannets appear at …
It’s easy to forget the time when you’re immersed in nature. When the light is this orange, though, you know it must …
I’ve spent several days recently photographing Atlantic Puffins with fish. It’s for a wonderful creative project I’m involved with. More about that …
Common Guillemots are free-diving pursuit divers. Their diet is fish, and the fish which are alive in today’s ocean are the descendants …
Arctic Skuas are one of my favourite birds. They do, however, hunt Puffins to rob them of their fish. I’ve previously photographed …
How fat must this Puffin’s Puffling be? We’ve been sitting half way down a cliff for the past three hours and a …
“Heads or tails?” “Heads.” “Sorry, it’s tails.” When you see an Atlantic Puffin arriving with a beak full of sand eels the …
There are Common Guillemots, Uria aalge, flying in front of the cliffs at Noup Head on Westray. It’s a breezy day and the …
Dunter is the Orcadian name for the Common Eider Duck. I find it hard to believe that Eider Ducks are still extant. …
I’m sat on the cliffs of Westray in pleasant light. It’s the middle of summer and it’s finally made it to 16 …
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Recommendation. Thanks for joining me. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, stumble upon …
You may be the great Baakie, Lord of All He Surveys, largest gull in the entire world, but you’re still going to …
Great! The backing singers have arrived. Now let me introduce you to the star of the show: Razorbills are such great entertainers. …
I love a breezy day on Westray. The waves fascinate me. Watching them roll and seeing a small tunnel appear within them, …
I see it from a distance initially. It’s always best to be lying on the ground in complete camouflage-pattern waterproofs with high …
There are 19,000 pairs of Black Guillemot in the UK. I’m enjoying the company of the ones which breed off the coast …
I’m out taking photographs of the female Grey Phalarope. Yes, this one: I did come here to take photographs of Dunlin, which …
Yesterday I wrote about my experience looking for Dunlin. I did see them, but my trip was hijacked by one of the …
It’s another day on Westray and another chance to walk the cliffs and paths of the island. I’ve got the usual camera …
Whaup is the Orcadian name for the Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata. Here’s one flying above the Buttercups in Westray: They’re severely threatened …
Eurasian Oystercatchers have no fear. They’re happy to make the lives of any other bird, or even human, a misery with their …
