Puffins, Japanese TV and Monk and chips
I’m very pleased that my friend Martin’s on the Island at the moment. He’s completing filming for a documentary on Puffins for …
The Three Ravens
Ravens are large and impressive birds. I’m at Noup Head, the lighthouse on Westray, when I see three of them arrive. “They …
i-Ronny
How much do we have the freedom to do whatever we please and how much are we blind robots carrying out biological …
Who’s afraid of the Black-Backed Gull?
Today I’m heading north to the most desolate coastline on Westray. Here, even the lichens and seaweeds and barnacles struggle to maintain …
Grass Snakes, King Curlews and their Lapwing attendants
Any patch of good weather means there’s a chance of cutting hay for silage. The people of Westray have perfected the art …
What’s better than seeing a Hen Harrier?
I always hope to see Hen Harriers. If I had to have a spirit animal it would be a Hen Harrier. They’re …
Flutterings
Coronavirus has destroyed my livelihood. I’ve had all my work cancelled for a year and will have absolutely no income. I’m also …
The first walk, Britain’s rarest bumblebee and a fattie cuttie
Arriving back on Westray means I want to experience it all at once. I want every sensation. I want to be at …
A welcome mat whodunnit
Arriving back in Orkney is always a pleasure. This time it’s different. Out of respect for those who always live on Westray …
Circles within circles
Do you ever feel that your life is a series of endlessly repeating circles-within-circles going nowhere? I’ve just had a shave, washed …
2019 highlights of a wilder Orkney life
The turning of the year is always a great time for reflection. Celebrating the darkest day with the thought that longer days, …
Home Scar
Limpets are incredible organisms. They can withstand the heaviest seas, can live despite being baked by the sun and desiccated on hard …
Have you seen a male Grey Seal?
The Grey Seals around Orkney are a classic combination of curious and wary. They are alternately fascinated by me and worried by …
Wheatear
I’m flushing Wheaters with every walk and drive on Westray. There isn’t a path or a road which doesn’t have a wary …
Sanderling #4
The Sanderlings of summer on Westray were a joy to get close to. Lying on the beach, keeping still, and watching them …
Sunset over the waves
It’s sunset on Westray and I’ve abandoned the car on the grass and marched off to the sea. It’s magnificent in this …
You see a Pigeon
The weather in Orkney may be grey but it’s never dull. I’m waiting at Kirkwall harbour for the Westray ferry when I …
Barbed wire
There’s a letter pushed under my door. It says I may have power lines crossing my land and be eligible for compensation. …
Attacked by Arctic Terns
I’m off for a walk on the Westray coast. Today I’m heading from Mae Sands to the Knowe o’ Skea. It’s not …
Einar
My house is called Einar, just like the Viking Earl of Orkney mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga. That’s because of a spelling …
Black Guillemot
I’m on a day trip to the Mainland. That’s the mainland of Orkney. In the harbour at Scapa there’s a bird paddling …
Redshank ballet and Ruddy Turnstones
There’s a Redshank on the rocks. I don’t think it wants to fly away. That would mean getting its leg out and …
Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover are meant to breed on the coast. Human destruction of the environment means they now breed in gravel pits and …
Feeding the family
Being a baby bird means knowing when to keep your mouth open. Many have exaggerated gapes, decorated in bright colours to encourage …
Star Starling
When a Starling flies by I always take notice. They are spectacular birds, either on their own or in flocks of thousands …
Why the long face?
I’d like to know why Grey Seals have a long sloping head. What’s the evolutionary advantage? What’s the adaptation for? What does …
Horsetails at Roadmire
The Horsetails at Roadmire are beautiful. Their stalks and leaves are covered in harsh mineral silica. They’re a bit scratchy and hard …
Something’s moving
There’s something moving in the field next to Einar. I can see flower stalks trembling. It’s moving along behind the wall. All …
Sea Rocket
There’s Sea Rocket, Cakile maritima, on the beach at the Bay of Swartmill. It’s a member of the mustard family. This is …
When technology meets Westray
Westray; where technology goes to die. On Westray things that you don’t expect to rust, to rot and to weather, do. Just …