Twite

There are small brown birds on the lichen-covered rocks on the coast of Westray. It takes me a while to identify them. They are small and aware of my presence. There’s a flock and they are flitting along the coast. I manage to focus on one for long enough to get a photograph:

Twite - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

As with many small brown birds which seem indistinguishable from a distance, the Twite is very distinctive in close up. It has a bright coloured stubby bill. The fawn colour around the eyes and under the bill is such a beautiful colour. The stripes on the breast are very definite and strong. It’s a perfect colour for the coast of Westray.

The Orcadian dialect name for the Twite is the Heather Lintie. It suits it.

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