Kirkwall at dawn
I’ve just woken up in a Viking city. A city which is only part of the UK, and not Norway, because King …
What is it about Orkney that I love?
When I first arrived in Orkney 11 years ago I hated it. I had high expectations of an interesting and historic place …
Goose Barnacles and Barnacle Geese
There’s a type of Goose Barnacle, a Buoy Barnacle, on the shore in Westray. Its full name is Dosima fascicularis. It’s one …
Swift by name
I’m used to seeing Swifts in Devon, high in blue skies, screaming. I spotted some recently in Reading, flying to and from …
Hoverflies on the cliffs
There are over 200 species of Hoverfly in the UK. I don’t know any of them and have to rely on support …
A Dunlin feast
There’s a huge tide of seaweed washed up in the bay at North Haven on Westray. We check for seals on the …
Nursery
There’s a beautiful nursery down below on these precarious cliffs: Adult Gannets are tending to their chicks and grooming themselves and each …
Pickieternos v Bonxies
Orkney has its own names for its birds. Many of these are from the Old Norse language and came with the Vikings …
Puffin with Sandeels
I’ve only had fleeting glances of Puffins with Sandeels as they whizz past at 30 miles per hour. I’m delighted to see …
Air Traffic Control
The RSPB say that Gannets are: “…distinctively shaped with a long neck and long pointed beak, long pointed tail, and long pointed …
Skewered by a Skua
I normally only see Great Skuas from behind as they disappear along the cliffs. They have a wonderful habit of cruising up …
Black Guillemot with Butterfish
I’m walking along the coast of Westray in Orkney when I spot a Black Guillemot come in to land from a fishing …
An evening with the Gannets of Noup Head
I’d love to tell you all about my evening at the RSPB reserve at Noup Head on Westray but all you need …
Two-Barred Crossbills from Russia
The three male Two-Barred Crossbills we saw on Westray created quite a stir. Rare Crossbills on the Links The next day we …
Declining Kittiwakes
The weather is dramatic and so are the Kittiwakes calling below: They are such refined and elegant birds. Their families are growing …
When a Gannet lands next to us
It’s blustery at the top of the 60 metre-high cliffs on Westray’s Noup Head. We’re surrounded by Gannets flying past us when …
Rescuing a thirsty Hedgehog
Rescuing a thirsty Hedgehog from the road and having a heartmelting few minutes as we give it a much needed drink.Filmed on …
Razorbills
Our first trip out to see the Razorbills, Alca torda, is a success: we can see them: There’s even a brief chance …
Curious cattle
It’s ten years since I took this photograph of cattle on Westray in the field next to Einar: Curiosity Cow The cattle …
Good Gannets above!
Noup Head is an exciting place to be when the Gannets are flying: They are massive: When the weather conditions are just …
Razorbill and Puffin meet
I’m sitting on the cliffs of Westray on a beautiful day. I’m wearing full camouflage. I’ve been taking photographs of birds as …
Arctic Terns on North Ronaldsay
If you’re on Westray in Orkney you have a once a year chance to get a ferry direct to the neighbouring island, …
An afternoon with the Black Guillemots
Black Guillemots are stunning birds in their summer breeding plumage. Here on Westray they nest on the cliffs and crags, with eggs …
Rock Pipit speaking with its mouth full
There’s a Rock Pipit on the cliffs on Westray: It’s incredibly well camouflaged visually: I say visually, because it just won’t be …
Posing for Puffin Portraits
I’ve opened a photographic studio here on Westray. No, not for people, but for Puffins. I have a range of natural backdrops, …
Mice nibble… #14
Mice. Yes, mice. They really will nibble anything. Anything. This used to be a nice bar of soap. It’s perhaps the last …
Kittiwakes are calling
Kittiwakes are the most beautiful and delicate of the gulls. Their yellow beaks, black legs, dark eyes and plaintive call are so …
The Lily Must Decay
Churchyards are always a sobering experience. I love looking at gravestones and the ones in the graveyard of the ruins of Lady …
Great Black Backed Gull
Great Black Backed Gulls are gulls, yet on an epic scale. Seeing one coming towards you is quite a sight: That’s some …
Spotted by a Skua
Seeing an Arctic Skua is like witnessing a mythical bird come to life. If they didn’t exist they would have to have …