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 …
Goose Barnacles
Apparently Goose Barnacles have a sweet taste like Razor Clams. They’re filter feeders which grow on rocks or on flotsam and have …
Wheatears full of character
Wheatear know how to strike a pose. Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe, are small yet very powerful birds. They have been stunningly successful …
Overdue MOT
This car’s MOT looks overdue. I’m not sure the lights on this one are legal. It’s expensive to get rid of a …
Stare and Starling
I love how busy and gregarious Starlings are. Their original name was Stare but over time the diminutive form, Starling, came to …
Garden flowers
The stone walls in the garden at Einar are a wonderful way of sheltering the garden plants here. They are full of …
The Tadpole Fish
There’s a fish which looks like a giant tadpole washed up on Sand o’ Gill on Westray. As I attempt to get …
Feeding Fulmar
It’s rare that I get close photographs of Fulmars eating. They’re normally well offshore when I see them feasting on something. This …
Arctic Skua
There’s a familiar silhouette on the slopes below Skea Hill. It’s an Arctic Skua. There are several ‘morphs’ of Arctic Skuas. There …
Great Black-Backed Gulls at the Castle o’ Burrian
The Castle o’ Burrian holds one of the best known Puffin colonies on Westray. It has relatively easy access and easy viewing, …
Beadlet Anemone giving birth
It’s 49 years since I was on holiday in Tenby in Wales and sketched this Beadlet Anemone, Actinia equina. I’m scouring rockpools …
Sanderling and seaweed
There are Sanderling heading in to feast on the invertebrates left by the retreating tide on Taftend. There is a flock of …
Foam and footprints
Our lives make such insignificant marks which are soon washed away. They are beautiful while they last.
Gone fishing
There’s a Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus, flying past. Their wings are very much in the centre of their body. We wait and …
Bar-Tailed Godwits
Bar-Tailed Godwits, Limosa lapponica, are known as Barwits by birders. It’s a great contraction of their name. There are a couple off …
Small, plump and energetic
Sanderling are a delight to watch. They are busy, frenetic even, and dedicated to picking up any morsel of food they can …
Puffins make me smile
There’s nothing better to life your mood than watching wildlife going about its daily business. Puffins make me smile. Every time.
Dunlin delight
There are stuttering Dunlin all over the sands at The Ouse on Westray. Lovely, aren’t they? I’m still learning to identify waders …
Aurora Borealis
I’ve seen the Aurora Borealis before, over my house, Einar, on Westray. I’ve only ever seen the green arc of the lights …
Ringed Plover
Now that I can identify a few species of waders my next task is to understand whether they are adults or juveniles. …
Curlew Sandpipers at The Ouse
A trip to The Ouse means I ought to have worn full waterproofs. We’re going for a walk but there are wading …
Two of my favourite things – sunsets and Puffins
The golden light of sunset is my favourite. That’s because dawn can easily be shortly after four in the morning and I’m …
“Alas, poor Puffin! I knew him…”
We’re not here very long, so let’s make sure we safeguard the natural world for future generations.
Magpie Moths
There are Magpie Moths, Abraxas grossulariata, all over the island at the moment. Beautiful, aren’t they? The caterpillars feed on Hawthorn and …
Backarass Puffin
I love a trip to Backarass. There’s a precarious trip through a public footpath down to the cliffs. Gannets are diving, Kittiwakes …
Swallows
Watching birds is a constant joy. For me, taking their photographs enhances the pleasure at the time. And editing the photographs improves …
The beauty of Arctic Terns
The Arctic Terns at the Bay of Tuquoy have had success with their breeding colony this year. It’s been a pleasure to …
Curlew chicks
Driving on Westray I see bird running in the tiny road ahead of me. It’s a Curlew chick. There’s another in the …
Grass trails
I love seeing the fields when they’re cut for hay or silage, especially when they’re undulating. This one has Oystercatchers, Curlew and …
Great Northern Divers
I’ve spent four days lying on the rocks near Mae Sands trying to film Great Norther Divers. It takes time to work …