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 silhouette. I spent many evenings with them this summer, watching them hunt Puffins for their fish.
As afternoon turned to evening, and evening turned to night, I could still see them, flying fast against fabulous skies.
Their hunt went on as I turned for home.
More Arctic Skuas
Dramatic chase as Sandwich Tern pursued by Arctic Skuas It's a stunning day at Mae Sands, or, as one Westray inhabitant insists it is called, the Sands o' Maesan.… read more
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