Tangled roots
Grass looks so unremarkable and is so ever-present in Orkney that it takes something special to shock me into considering it from …
Greylag Geese
Greylag Geese are all over Westray at the moment because the farmers have created the perfect habitat for them: acres and acres of fresh green grass. It must be like waking up and seeing delicious breakfast as far as your eyes can see.
I’m Shy!
The critically endangered Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica. Climate change leading to lack of Sand Eels and marine pollution are the likely causes …
Sanderling in the mud
Sanderling. It sounds like it could be a verb as well as a noun. If it’s a verb, then these Sanderlings are …
As rare as Witches’ Hats
On the endless A9 as I travel north from Devon to Orkney the lay-by numbers help denote the passing of a day …
Puffin love
Puffins mate for life and meet up again every year to have their one egg and baby puffling. Can you tell?
Out on the cliffs
Out on the cliffs, in the windiest and most exposed spot, where the Puffins are, is a Wren.
Ringed Plover
There’s a bird on the rocks in Rapness Bay. In fact, there are two now: It’s a Ringed Plover. In Orkney it’s …
Stanger Head
Walking along the sea cliffs towards Stanger Head and the edges are covered in Sea Campion Silene uniflora: It’s got very distinctive …
Wildflower meadow
It’s no wonder the field at Einar is a literal hive of activity with bees. The Red Clover Trifolium pratense is here …
One foot out of the duvet
When you’re just getting comfortable in bed and you realise you’ve got one foot sticking out of the duvet.
A Linnet in the garden
Einar has a small area of walled garden. It’s grown over almost completely with shrubs and wind-dwarfed trees and where there is …
The Wild Westray
On the West Westray coast there’s nothing between you and America except the Atlantic Ocean. The coast is a fractured and windswept …
Turquoise
On the west coast of Westray, the wild Atlantic coast is full of sea caves and breathtaking horizons. Each inlet has a …
Admiring the garden
It’s beautiful evening sunlight on Westray when we see this Puffin emerge from its rock burrow and stand in the open air. …
Sea Thrift
In August the Sea Pinks, known as Thrift, are often just dried husks on the coast of Westray: Majestic Cliffs In June …
The quiet hunt
There’s something in the air today in Devon. It’s the merest hint of a dampness and a chill in the air whispering …
Puffarazzi
The RSPB are running a great citizen science project at the moment. They are calling for Puffarazzi – an army of Puffin …
Long evening shadows on the Shags far below
As afternoon turns to evening we walk along the Westray coast to Stanger Head. The light is low and warm and blinding. …
Flying Puffins
I’m currently without my telephoto lens. It’s being repaired. That means my prime chance of photographing Puffins is going to waste. I’m …
Puffins on Parade
Puffins are always a pleasure to see and to photograph: They are such elegant birds, with stunning details in their plumage: Sometimes, …
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…
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 …