Swallow on a mission
It’s mud-hut-building time for the Swallows of Westray. Whether it’s a new nest or urgent repairs to an old one, the Swallows …
Tree Sparrow
I’ve seen Tree Sparrows before. I visited Tree Sparrow farm to see them. That’s how sadly depleted their population is.
Rainbow Stormbird
Starling is a good name, but I prefer the title Rainbow Stormbird. I think it suits them better. They’re busy collecting food …
Sunset over Einar (again)
I’m out to see the Puffins at the Castle o’ Burrian on Westray.
The pace of life
I recently filmed a bird at 120 frames per second. I decided to slow it down to 24 frames a second to …
Dramatic chase as Sandwich Tern pursued by Arctic Skuas
It’s a stunning day at Mae Sands, or, as one Westray inhabitant insists it is called, the Sands o’ Maesan. It’s a …
Aimée Leonard and the Orkney Folk Festival Choir
It was a pleasure to photograph Aimée Leonard as part of Orkney Folk Festival in Stromness Parish Church. What a great venue …
Common Tern feeding time
There’s been a Common Tern in Pierowall Bay for a while now. It loves to sit out in full view of the …
Sunset over Einar
If you’re new here, Einar is the name of my house on Westray.
What to do on arrival
What do you do first when you arrive in a place you know well. It could be home, or your good friend’s …
Ruddy Turnstones
No, I’m not being rude about Turnstones. That’s their full name. I love to see them skipping over the waves, their wings …
Claire’s Music Club at the Orkney Folk Festival 2026
It’s a pleasure to listen to Claire Hastings work with babies and young children and their families in the Pier Arts Centre. …
Haverin at the Orkney Folk Festival 2026
It’s always a pleasure to hear Haverin sing. Especially since they have so many great voices in the band. Aileen and Megan …
Damn Tall Buildings at the Orkney Folk Festival 2026
Photographing the Orkney Folk Festival was a blast. They booked an incredible earthen house for me to stay in, left a wonderful …
Blackening
Fancy getting drunk while being covered in molasses, eggs and flour and then tied to a lamp post with clingfilm by your …
Dirk Powell, Cedric Watson and Amelia Powell at the Orkney Folk Festival 2026
I was delighted to be invited to photograph the Orkney Folk Festival this year. I love folk music, Orkney, and photography, so …
Sea Plantain at The Mill
The old mill building at Rapness on Westray is heading for desolation, and quickly. Once you lose your roof, your walls are …
Patterns
I’m a sucker for patterns. In this case it’s the pattern of adhesive left on an interior of a stone wall after …
Dead Man’s Fingers
I love this plant attached to the pebbles on the beach. I’m still pondering which species it is. Maybe it’s Dead Man’s …
Shag escape
Seeing a roost of Shags is a spectacular thing. A flock of Shags is called a hangout of shags. Watching them all fly when …
Golden Plover over
Watching a distant flock of Golden Plover through my binoculars I’m fascinated to see that the flock breaks into several smaller flocks. …
Footprints
I love the mixture of sand on the beaches of Westray. Some are shell sand from the crushed shells of the molluscs …
Flying Fulmars
I think of fulmars as being mid-engined birds with relatively short wings. They are deceptive, however, as their wings can appear quite …
Wild majesty
There’s a spot on the coast of Westray that I return to again and again. A rock shelf reaches out into the …
A curious Wheatear
I sometimes wonder why Wheatears are so difficult to get close to. Then I remember that we have killed and eaten every …
Ruddy Turnstones are a joy to behold
We’re on an early morning dog walk along Taftend when we notice there are small flocks of birds on the tideline moving …
Good eyesight is a fabulous thing
The Grey Phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius, is a bird I’ve only ever seen in full breeding plumage. Where it breeds, it’s known as …
A male Hen Harrier in my garden
The bird I’d most like to photograph is a Male Hen Harrier. There’s been one on Westray on and off for the …
Shag on the cliffs
The weather is incredible on Westray today. There are blue skies, blustery winds and waves which roll and roll. I’m enjoying sitting …
Arctic Terns in the bay
There’s a small group of Arctic Terns in the bay. They are such beautiful birds. I love the long tail streamers. There …