Currently browsing category

Westray, Page 2

Notes on a very small island

Meadow Pipit - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Meadow Pipit

Some lucky chick will be receiving a juicy caterpillar very soon. Getting a photograph of a bird taking off is always tricky. …

Atlantic Puffin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Into the wind we go

Watching Puffins negotiate high winds is a thrill. I particularly like their head-down, stiff-necked attitude as they take off.

Fools Gold - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Fool’s Gold

We’re walking the coast of Westray when we see large chunks of what look like rusty metal embedded in the rocks. There’s …

Ruddy Turnstone - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Ruddy Turnstone on barnacles

It’s always a pleasure to see a Ruddy Turnstone. They’re usually so busy turning stones that I had to take this image …

Trawler Bobbin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Trawler bobbin

How did fishermen keep their fishing nets on the sea bed as they trawled? They used huge weights like this trawler bobbin. …

Ringed Plover chick - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Ringed Plover chick

There’s a Ringed Plover chick on the rocky beach. Charming, aren’t they? I’ve been here before to photograph them. Last year I …

Arctic Tern - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

No excess baggage allowed

Arctic Terns have short legs. Comically short legs. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. They need as little excess baggage …

Hogweed - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Hogweed sunset

I love the silhouette of Hogweed, especially if it’s against another fabulous Westray sunset.

Heron and Raven - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Escorted Heron

There must be at least 30 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan on Westray. When an unfortunate Grey Heron strays overhead it …

Short-Eared Owl - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Sunset owl

There’s a Short-Eared Owl hunting over the fields and we see it land on a post just up the road from my …

Bristletails - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Bristletails

Seeing Bristletails under the slates in one of my ‘range of useful outbuildings’ is enough to remind me that I really need …

Fulmars - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Chattering

Chattering Fulmars are the best. They raise their chins, open their mouths wide, shake their heads and wave their heads from side …

Sharona - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Your Sharona

I couldn’t resist taking this shot. It was such a great scene I sketched it. It’s a pity I didn’t take any …

Razorbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Razorbill flypast

I’ve spent all day taking photographs of Razorbills. It’s been lovely to spend the day on the cliffs in the sun and …

Great Black Backed Gulls - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Double trouble

What’s more menacing than the largest gull in the wold, the Great Black-Backed Gull, flying along the coast? Two of them.

Black Guillemot - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Butterfish

You need to have a serrated mouth and tongue to keep hold of a Butterfish. They’re called that for a reason. Just …

Atlantic Puffin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Head-on

Seeing a bird head-on in flight gives you a completely different perspective. This Atlantic Puffin over the turquoise seas of west Westray …

Black Guillemot - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

When your fish goes all curly

A problem with hunting for your food is that sometimes it carries on wriggling. This Black Guillemot was having problems containing its …

Razorbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Getting close

Getting close to any wild bird is a privilege. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to see how wild birds act …

Arctic Tern chick - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Arctic Tern and the Lumpfish

There are 60 Arctic Terns in this colony but sadly only three surviving chicks. That’s better than the collapsed colony at the …

Razorbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Razorbill in spray

When I visit one of my favourite places on Westray I’m usually frustrated that the sun and wind are coming from opposite …

Atlantic Puffin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Fish delivery

On the North Sea coast of Westray the Puffins nest in old rabbit holes and their own earth burrows. On the Atlantic …

Atlantic - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Atlantic coast

The west coast of Westray is the Atlantic coast. The east coast of Westray is the North Sea coast. It’s possible to …

Razorbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Finding a Cooter-neb

The Razorbills along the Westray coast make a spectacular sight. Their dramatic Emo-Puffin plumage is glorious against the dark rocks. The Orkney …

Black Guillemot - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Butterfish incoming!

I’ve been enjoying the Black Guillemots on Westray this summer. Here’s one bringing a Butterfish, Pholis gunnellus, or Rock Gunnel, into its …