Juvenile Arctic Skua
There’s a juvenile Arctic Skua overhead. I’m getting amazing views. It’s not from this year because it has very different plumage from the new ginger babies. It’s also probably not from last year, either, because it has the distinctive two-feather tail projection which comes when they’re older. I’ll have to study my books a little more to check it out. Either that, or I can try reading the distinctive leg rings it’s wearing and find out exactly when it was ringed. I’ll keep you posted!
More Arctic Skuas
Arctic Skua There's a familiar silhouette on the slopes below Skea Hill. It's an Arctic Skua. There are several 'morphs' of Arctic… read more
Kleptoparasitism Why bother fishing when you can steal another bird's fish? Arctic Skuas are adept at kleptoparasitism. I'm on Papa Westray… read more
Dropping in for a bath I'm crouching down on shattered bare rocks in the desolate far north of Westray trying to get a photograph of… read more
Dark morph Arctic Skuas come in several different colour varieties. Here's the darkest: Aren't the feather patterns on its underwings beautiful? They're… read more
Incoming! We spent an amazing evening with the Scootie Allans of Westray. Arctic Skuas are beautiful, impressive birds, with sleek bodies… read more
A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack. An Arctic Skua attacking a Fulmar. A Stercorarius parasiticus attacking a Fulmarus glacialis. Dramatic, isn't… read more
2022 highlights of a wilder Orkney life (part 2) August in Orkney can be quieter than May, June or July when it comes to bird life. In 2022, August… read more
Puffins chased by Arctic Skuas A Puffin's dinner is an Arctic Skua's dinner. Arctic Skuas are hunting Puffins for their fish on Westray and they're… read more
One Arctic Skua evening Arctic Skuas are one of my favourite birds. Their swept-back wings, hooked beaks and pointed tail feathers make a distinctive… read more