They’re not knock-knees
No, those are this Rock Pipit’s ankles.
A perfect hat-trick
A perfect hat-trick in football is when you score three goals, one with your left foot, one with your right foot and …
Not long out of the egg
Arctic Terns are colonial nesting birds. I’m sure of that fact. I’ve spent 18 years exploring Westray and seeing their colonies, large …
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.
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 …
Arctic Tern feeding
A memory of last summer with the Arctic Terns of Westray. There were so few chicks in this colony that the remaining …
Life within life
Lichen is hardy. The salt spray, the desiccating sun, and the bitter wind don’t discourage it at all. They simply slow its …