Two of my favourite things – sunsets and Puffins
The golden light of sunset is my favourite. That’s because dawn can easily be shortly after four in the morning and I’m …
“Alas, poor Puffin! I knew him…”
We’re not here very long, so let’s make sure we safeguard the natural world for future generations.
Magpie Moths
There are Magpie Moths, Abraxas grossulariata, all over the island at the moment. Beautiful, aren’t they? The caterpillars feed on Hawthorn and …
Backarass Puffin
I love a trip to Backarass. There’s a precarious trip through a public footpath down to the cliffs. Gannets are diving, Kittiwakes …
Swallows
Watching birds is a constant joy. For me, taking their photographs enhances the pleasure at the time. And editing the photographs improves …
The beauty of Arctic Terns
The Arctic Terns at the Bay of Tuquoy have had success with their breeding colony this year. It’s been a pleasure to …
Curlew chicks
Driving on Westray I see bird running in the tiny road ahead of me. It’s a Curlew chick. There’s another in the …
Grass trails
I love seeing the fields when they’re cut for hay or silage, especially when they’re undulating. This one has Oystercatchers, Curlew and …
Great Northern Divers
I’ve spent four days lying on the rocks near Mae Sands trying to film Great Norther Divers. It takes time to work …
Artificial Rubbish – part 5
Let’s bring real life back to wildlife.
Bristletails again
It’s time for me to pop to one of my ‘range of useful outbuildings’ here at Einar to see whether I can …
Rabbit supper
At the top of Fitty Hill I can see a couple of Great Skuas. They must have a chick or two nearby …
Eyebright
Eyebright is tiny. It’s one of the smallest, low-growing plants that it’s possible to see and recognise while walking. To photograph it …
An Uncommon Gull
There are fields full of the uncommon Common Gull here on Westray. For some reason I never get round to photographing them. …
This Puffin life
A final evening with the Puffins is always an emotional experience. They’ll be gone for nine months for a life on the …
Feeling on edge
It’s time to destroy my car’s suspension driving on the track to Noup Head Lighthouse. Crawling to the edge of the cliffs …
They’re not knock-knees
No, those are this Rock Pipit’s ankles.
A perfect hat-trick
A perfect hat-trick in football is when you score three goals, one with your left foot, one with your right foot and …
Not long out of the egg
Arctic Terns are colonial nesting birds. I’m sure of that fact. I’ve spent 18 years exploring Westray and seeing their colonies, large …
The Toothed Weaver
The most common spider at Einar is the Toothed Weaver, Textrix denticulata. They are tiny, only about 7mm long. Many of them …
An evening amongst the Sea Mayweed
The end of a long summer day on Westray. I love the low evening sunlight at the Castle o’ Burrian. So does …
An emotional state
The Arctic Terns on Westray are bringing a succession of fish in to their youngsters. The beach is crowded with them. Some …
Tystie tantrum
A trip to the coast to see the Tysties, or Black Guillemots, is always an entertaining one. They appear to have almost …
Beautiful conflict
Aikerness is the most northerly part of Westray, where the wild waves crash and the wind blows uninterrupted by walls or buildings. …
I’ve just seen a face
I’ve loved seeing the Short-Eared Owl which has been hunting around the middle of Westray this week. They’re such special birds. Their …
Ringed Plover on the road
The Ringed Plovers have an entire beach to strut on but they will insist on cruising down the road. But then, so …
Run Rabbit
On Papa Westray Rabbits were said to outnumber residents by five hundred to one. I’m not convinced that they exist in the …
The owl is there again
I’m still on a high after seeing the Short-Eared Owl this morning. What a special and spectacular bird, especially so close up …
Ears on an owl
I’m driving to the village of Pierowall on the main road from the ferry terminal when I see a large brown lump …
The Atlantic coast
Today was a chance to walk the wild west Atlantic coast of Westray. When the waves roll in and crash it’s exhilarating. …