Playing British Bulldog with the sheep of the Holm of Aikerness
The Holm of Aikerness is a series of small islets just off Aikerness, which is the northernmost tip of Westray, where the …
The struggle for survival
In the battle of Bonxie v Baakie there was only ever going to be one winner. It was the Bonxie. Here it …
Unattractive and covered in slime. But enough about me…
There’s a Three-Bearded Rockling, Gaidropsarus vulgaris, in the creel. It’s a spectacular fish, a relative of the Cod and Haddock, but very …
Partan and the famed red leather from Persia
I find crabs endlessly fascinating. We’re out on a creel boat and I’m enjoying seeing crabs being hauled in. How marvellous is …
Mallimacks
We’re aboard the Ailsa Jane and I’m taking advantage of the creel boat having a very low side where the creels get …
Dunters
Eider Ducks are called Dunters in Orkney. There are great floats of them off the coast. The males have done their job …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Recommendation #37
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Recommendation. Thanks for joining me. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, stumble upon …
A flying visit
Our friend is coming out to Westray for a visit today. He’s flying his light aircraft over from the Orkney Mainland. I …
Cattieface
There’s a Short-Eared Owl on the Island; I’ve read WhatsApp reports in the Westray birds & wildlife group. We’re driving to get …
Tysties with Butterfish
Black Guillemots are one of my favourite birds. I’m told, “They’re the purist’s bird for those who dislike the easy familiarity of …
Life
There’s a hard surface at the back of my house. That doesn’t stop the plants from growing there, though. There are Northern …
Scootie Allan over Muckle Water
Perhaps the best part of the coastline for walking in Westray is the west coast. The section from Mae Sands to Noup …
Bonxie v Baakie
Bonxie v Baakie. Who do you think will win the epic battle of the fish? It’s Great Skua v Great Black-Backed Gull …
“O whare will I get a skeely skipper?”
We’re on another adventure today. We’re going out on a creel boat from Pierowall with skipper Stewart McNab. He’s a local, born …
Puffin sunset
A Puffin on one of its last evenings at the Castle o’ Burrian in Westray. This is a photograph I’ll be ordering …
The Bay of Tafts
The Bay of Tafts is not quite, but almost, my nearest beach. It’s a five minute cycle ride away, although the time …
Puffling preparations
In a sheer rock cliff there is a natural cavity in which a pair of Puffins have made their nest. Today their …
Fattie cutties and Kevin the kayaKing
My friend sends me a message saying her son is on the island with his “Ace wife”. “Do meet him”, her message …
Brakes deployed
It takes every inch of wing space to stop a Puffin. And both feet.
Not-so-cool bag
We’re out for the sunset and choose a beach with a view. There’s cloud and sunshine and the most beautiful atmosphere to …
Puffin bedding
Living in a hot burrow underground in summer with a youngster must get a bit smelly. Even at this late stage the …
A day trip to Stronsay
Stronsay is one of the ‘other’ Orkney islands. I’ve not been there before because there’s no way of getting there from Westray …
Finding where the noise is coming from
There’s a bird calling and we don’t know where it is. The sound is coming from below our feet somewhere on the …
Alternative nesting sites
On the cliffs of Westray are two Fulmar resting places. They’re both in the north-end of the island. One is a bare …
Bumpy landing
I’ve seen Puffins flying underwater in an avian aquarium. They’re incredibly elegant. I’ve seen them flying and been amazed by their speed …
Twite are seriously underrated
Twite are such beautiful birds. They’re small brown finches, closely related to Linnets. The subtlety of their plumage is just sublime and …
Black Guillemot with Butterfish
I can see a Black Guillemot in the Atlantic. It has the familiar shape of a Butterfish in its grasp, held tightly …
A funny Tern
I love the small bright yellow boat in Pierowall bay. Having called it a boat, someone will probably correct me and tell …
Organic food – a glossary #4
“Is organic food any better for you?”, people ask, as if that’s the only worthwhile question to ask. A follow up question …
Let the Puffin photographs begin
There are entire manuals written on posing for portraits. They tell you exactly how to stand, hold your arms and hold your …