Blonde Bombshell
I’m buzzing with excitement. There are big blonde bees in the garden at Einar. I suspect they are Great Yellow Bumblebees. I …
Here Kitty Kitty – the birds without thumbs on their feet
The mystery of Kittiwakes’ toes.
Flagstones and Slaters
Looking into the cracks in the flagstones I see what looks to be a freakishly large Woodlouse. It’s a Sea Slater…
Guess the Yoghurt Flavour
Over the past decade on Westray one thing has struck me very forcefully: the ability of the shops to stock a single flavour of yoghurt in curious and slightly obsessive depth…
Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit
I’d love to be able to identify the different species of Pipit on Westray. The problem is that I can’t get near …
The Atlantic
Westray has two sides: a North Sea side and an Atlantic Ocean side. They meet with dramatic consequences at the northernmost and …
Collecting and sorting
I’m on the beach when I see a few different Flat Periwinkles. I’m fascinated by their different colours and patterns.
The Seal of Approval
These Common Seals love hauling out in Pierowall Bay: They are often there. Together they look as if they ought to have …
Technical Puffins
I’ve taken many artistic Puffin portraits over the past few weeks. They are glorious models and it’s always a challenge to capture …
Up, across or down?
The Westray coastline is so beautiful on a glorious day it’s hard to know whether to look up, look across or look …
Fulmar Chicks
Westray is an environment of sea and stone and air. Fulmars have complete mastery of the air. Their flight is elegant and unflapping irrespective of the direction in which they fly. They can turn and wheel around, adjust their position and react with astonishing speed.
Prancing Puffins
Puffins mate for life. This pair are keeping each other company on a rock ledge outside their burrow near the Castle o’ …
Gannets at Noup
I’m hanging over the edge of a 75 metre high cliff looking down at the dizzying heights below. The smell of a …
Lugs, Skiffs and Yoles
I’m surrounded by lugs, skiffs and yoles. There are even bugs and centre-board allcomers. I’m at the Westray Regatta. I recognise what …
A Tystie and a Topknot
The coastline around Westray is wonderful on a glorious summer’s day. We’re on the trail of Black Guillemots, or Tysties as they …
Twinkly golden Puffins
The sun is golden over the bay as these Puffins strike a pose:
Whaup Whaup overhead
A trip to the Bay of Skaill reveals the shallow turquoise waters which look Caribbean to someone as starved of heat as …
Tafts from the Bay of Tafts
The Bay of Tafts is nearly my nearest beach. I love it here. There’s a never-ending procession of moods as the weather and seasons change.
A Puffin’s work is never done
A Puffin keeps its burrow clean at the Castle o’ Burrian.
Westray from the Knowe o’ Skea
I love the walk from Mae Sands to the Knowe o’ Skea. It’s a magical place, where currents meet, the sea boils and where an Iron Age burial ground gives views out towards the island of Rousay.
Sandbanks
Sandbanks is the most exclusive beach in the country and contains some of the hottest properties. No, I’m not talking about Sandbanks …
Too Much Fish
When you’ve eaten too many fish to fly.
Jellyfish, jellyfish everywhere!
We are walking down past Backarass to see the birds when instead I spot two huge jellyfish in the sea. They are …
The Wren who hasn’t been told
It’s been an emotional journey over the last few days with the birds here at Einar. We always have Swallows and Blackbirds …
Puffin Portrait
Sometimes words are too many. Sometimes words are too few. Sometimes it is best that there are no words at all.
Flowers for a mother and baby
Sunshine brings the flowers out to bloom around Pierowall Bay. This one looks like Chamomile to me but I suspect it’s Sea …
Never a dull day
The weather on Westray may be dull, but there’s never a dull day on Westray.
A white blanket of cloud shrouds the island but life continues as normal for the incredible menagerie which inhabits the shores of Westray.
Puffins in the air
I’m lying down on the grassy clifftop looking across at the Puffins on the Castle o’ Burrian when I realise I can …
Special Sunday Excursion to a living island
I’ve been in and around Orkney for ten years and never been to some of the outer islands. Being in Westray means …