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. …
Sprog
The common names of House Sparrows are disappearing into antiquity. The familiarity of one of our constant companions since houses and agriculture …
Fresh bedding
I love watching Puffins desperately trying to find fresh bedding for their Puffling. It must get a little fetid at the end …
The Moth-ers of Invention
I’ve had a moth-er (which is what I think people interested in moths are called) use a moth trap here at Einar …
Air to light
Two years ago I took a photograph I love. It is of an Arctic Tern hovering, using a long exposure to blur …
Sand Martins streaming past
I bump the car down the track to Grobust, just one of the idyllic beaches on Westray. It’s glorious evening light and …
Fun with Hoverflies
Have you ever struggled with identification? Not sure whether it’s a bee or a hoverfly? Is it a wasp mimic? Which book …
As cool as the Arctic
The Arctic Terns on Westray are a curious bunch. If you start to care about them it can be an emotional rollercoaster. …
A fluffy bundle of feathers
I’m driving to the Arctic Tern colony to take some photographs of them bringing fish in to their chicks when I see …
Curlews are such regal birds…
There’s something so dignified about a Curlew. This one is in danger, though. Sheep’s wool caught around its feet is the danger, …
A Diver and a stampede
It’s dull here on Westray today, but when I get a WhatsApp group message that there’s a report of a Black-Necked Diver …
What will I find dead in the house this time?
When I return to Einar there’s usually something dead in the house.
Female Redstart
The female Common Redstart is often less easy to photograph. It’s more camouflaged and stealthy in its behaviour. It’s just as beautiful …
Farming – a glossary #5
We all need to eat to survive and most of us now rely on farmers to produce our food for us. Without …
Tree Pipit
The Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis, is a long-distance migrant, migrating to spend our winter in Africa or southern Asia. This open woodland and scrub on …
Redstart
There’s a flashy Common Redstart on Dartmoor. The Old English word steort means tail. Redstarts are Red Tails.
Nestbuilding Gannet
Gannet nests aren’t really nests. They’re a messy accumulation of sea plants, used for marking nesting territory as much as any other …
Razorbill
It’s normally Puffins I see over the west Westray waves. This time a Razorbill is coming fast and low over the waves. …
Hello Mr Punch
What is it that makes Puffins so immensely comical? What features in their faces do we see human attributes in? I don’t …
Turquoise
Turquoise is called turquoise because it was imported through Turkey. The Atlantic Ocean on the wild west Westray coast is as turquoise …