Eider/Or
There’s a Dunter, Somateria mollissima, commonly known as the Eider Duck, on the waves. I particularly like the chick’s hairstyle. When it …
There’s a Dunter, Somateria mollissima, commonly known as the Eider Duck, on the waves. I particularly like the chick’s hairstyle. When it …
This Gannet was very wet after a dive. As it flew past it decided to shake itself dry. I suspect it’s the …
On Westray, a recent building is one built in 1100 AD. There are plenty buried in the sand which are older than …
This juvenile Ringed Plover is a wonderful bird. In Orkney the Ringed Plover is called Sandy Laverock. The UK conservation status of …
Grobust is one of my favourite beaches on Westray. At one end are rocks which act as a roosting place for gulls …
Orkney Museum has an assortment of stone balls in its cabinets. They’re from the Neolithic and our ancestors kept them and prized …
There’s a whale corpse in the car park at Taftend. It takes up the space a car would, or even a little …
I had an enjoyable time flying a drone this summer. I only set it up a few times, as I had to …
I’ve wanted to take a decent photograph of Noltland Castle ever since I first saw it, as I struggled up the hill …
I love the hay and silage fields on Westray. From above they look just like corduroy, with their parallel cords of cut …
There are several large lochs on Westray. Naturally they’re in depressions in the landscape. The Loch of Burness is in a natural …
It’s all about perspective. Looking at familiar scenes from a different place always makes you think more deeply about them. Similarly, seeing …
Grobust is one of my favourite beaches on Westray. Can you see the bodyboarders with their bright boards? I love the slightly …
10 ways you know you’re in Orkney Orkney is a very special place. What makes it so special? Here are ten ways …
I spot a House Martin, Delichon urbicum, on the cliffs at the Castle o’ Burrian. That’s nice. Then I spot another one. …
I love the Westray Regatta. I don’t understand which boats are which. I don’t know the rules. I don’t know where they …
There’s a spot on Westray where a buried ruin of a house is being lost to the sea. Whenever there’s a storm …
Amazingly, there are limbs inside the fat-suit which seals wear. You would, however, be forgiven for thinking otherwise: This one is delicately …
We’re watching the Gannets at Noup Head when the Puffin Whisperer gets very excited. She’s seen one with an egg. The adult …
It’s rare to see a puffling, as young Puffins are called. They’re usually hidden in their rock or earth burrows, safe from …
Noup Head lighthouse isn’t visible until we’re almost on top of it. There’s dew on the grass and on the purple flowers …
There’s a Skeldro, Chaldro or Shaalder, as the Oystercatcher is known in Orkney, in the air. It’s giving me what can only be …
There’s a marked difference in the size of fish which Puffins bring to their burrows. I’m sure that they were bringing smaller …
We are at Noup Head watching the birds fly by. We get a close pass from a Great Black-Backed Gull. Aren’t they …
Puffins have gone from our shores for another year. It’s been a wonderful summer with them and a pleasure to see them …
Kittiwakes are one of my favourite birds. I love their delicate bills, their dipped-in-ink wings and their streamlined bodies. And their “Kittiwaaaak” …
Who would have guessed that Gannet chicks could be so cute close up? Their white downy feathers are not quite as brilliant …
All it takes is a silver spinner and Mackerel are tickling my line. I have my Robert Welch kitchen knives with me. …
We’ve toured the Island today and our final destination is the Ouse. There were reports of a Short Eared Owl there earlier …
The Orcadian name for the Wren is the Wirran or Wrannock. What brilliant names. I’ve just had a small Wrannock in my …