Bonxie ballet
Great Skuas are large birds. They’re the size of a gull. They are powerful and barrel-chested. Bonxie is their local name, originally …
Sparkly Puffins, the horizon and evolutionary hairpin bends
The west coast of Westray is by far the most beautiful and magnificent. It’s largely empty of buildings apart from ruins. Here …
A rare case of Kittiwake triplets
Kittiwakes are beautiful, elegant gulls. Yes, those words really do go together. The UK has 8% of the world’s population. It’s one …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Review #14
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Review. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, see engrossing websites and hear wonderful …
Gannets and Bridled Guillemots with a side order of Seal sausages
Clamour. That’s the best word to describe it. That’s if you’re talking about sound. Pungent would probably the thing that comes to …
A Red-Necked Phalarope, a cheese roll and laughing at yourself
I’m off to the north today on the trail of Red-Necked Phalaropes. Yes, I know, it’s a silly name, isn’t it? I’ve …
Puffins, Japanese TV and Monk and chips
I’m very pleased that my friend Martin’s on the Island at the moment. He’s completing filming for a documentary on Puffins for …
The Three Ravens
Ravens are large and impressive birds. I’m at Noup Head, the lighthouse on Westray, when I see three of them arrive. “They …
i-Ronny
How much do we have the freedom to do whatever we please and how much are we blind robots carrying out biological …
Who’s afraid of the Black-Backed Gull?
Today I’m heading north to the most desolate coastline on Westray. Here, even the lichens and seaweeds and barnacles struggle to maintain …
Grass Snakes, King Curlews and their Lapwing attendants
Any patch of good weather means there’s a chance of cutting hay for silage. The people of Westray have perfected the art …
What’s better than seeing a Hen Harrier?
I always hope to see Hen Harriers. If I had to have a spirit animal it would be a Hen Harrier. They’re …
Flutterings
Coronavirus has destroyed my livelihood. I’ve had all my work cancelled for a year and will have absolutely no income. I’m also …
The Puffin experience and pint-sized love
It’s still a shock to me how small Puffins are. I spend 10 months of the year telling people that they’re the …
The first walk, Britain’s rarest bumblebee and a fattie cuttie
Arriving back on Westray means I want to experience it all at once. I want every sensation. I want to be at …
A welcome mat whodunnit
Arriving back in Orkney is always a pleasure. This time it’s different. Out of respect for those who always live on Westray …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Review #13
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Review. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, see engrossing websites and hear wonderful …
Sparrowhawk
I can recognise a Sparrowhawk flying now: flap-flap-glide, flap-flap-glide. It’s a distinctive pattern. I saw one as a child from a train …
Return to the Long-Tailed Bushtits
You may have read my blogs about the Long-Tailed Bushtit family which took up a week of my life. Once they fledge …
A Teignmouth evening
I’ve been coming to Teignmouth and Shaldon in South Devon since I was a child. We would have two weeks holiday in …
Orchids
I’ve spent my life trying to explain my behaviour to curious onlookers. Whether I’m being asked what I’m doing by security guards …
Meadow Pipits at Emsworthy Mire
There’s been an eruption of Garden Chafers, Phyllopertha horticola, at Emsworthy Mire. The bracken is covered in them. The local Meadow Pipits …
Stonechats at Emsworthy Mire
I love Stonechats. I’ve spent a couple of very happy days with them: This time I’m just passing through and get a …
Reed Warblers
There’s a tiny patch of reeds alongside a drainage channel. It follows an A-road dual carriageway. There’s a pedestrian bridge over the …
NA3? Over our dead bodies
When I’m in Devon I live right in the centre of town but close to some wonderful green spaces. Large areas of …
Dryad’s Saddle
The Dryad’s Saddle fungus is one I remember from my childhood. It can grow huge. It has a beautiful scaly skin and …
Counting your Ducklings
There are three sets of Mallard ducklings on my local river. It’s a struggle to keep track of them. For a start, …
The Cormorant at the Quay
As I walk down to the town Quay I see a Cormorant surface with a huge fish. I start running towards it …
Walking the Hunters’ Path
A trip to Castle Drogo seemed like a great idea. Parking at the Fingle Bridge Inn we take the top path along …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Review #12
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Review. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, see engrossing websites and hear wonderful …