Light and shade

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

I’m walking the wild west coast of Westray again.

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

It’s magnificent. For a few months each year it’s inhabited by Arctic Skuas, or Parasitic Jaegers, as they’re known elsewhere. When I first saw them I found it difficult to accept the differences in their colouration. Some are the deepest brown and others have the palest whitish underbellies.

Here’s the dark form:

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

There’s just the merest hint of a light collar.

And here’s a lighter form, with a strong brown chest band:

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

As yet, it seems that scientists have been unable to identify any reason for the difference. They’ve put forward hypotheses about hunting success under different conditions but all the observational data has shown no change in the outcomes of their hunts.

I’m looking forward to doing some more reading about them.

Their hunts are spectacular:

Here’s an adult Arctic Skua with a juvenile close behind.

Arctic Skua and juvenile - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I’m delighted that they are breeding here. I look forward to more encounters with them when they return next year.

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

I’m looking forward to joining them.

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