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 …
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 …
Pineapple Weed
After finding an endless supply of Pineapple Weed on Westray last summer I’m now very keen on making some Pineapple Weed Posset. …
Hello down there
Ever felt glad you’re not a fish? This Northern Gannet was so close I felt I could reach out and touch it.
An Arctic Tern colony
There’s an Arctic Tern colony on Westray which is next to a road with a couple of parking spaces. It’s possible to …
Collapsed sea cave
There’s a strange depression on the coastal walk in the north of Westray. I finally realised what it was. It’s a collapsed …
An Arctic Tern with a Lumpfish
Lumpfish grow to be large fish, sometimes washed up on the beaches of Westray. To see them as tiny fish, brought in …
Signs of life
There are signs of life everywhere on Westray. In this case it’s signs of life from 380 million years ago from species …
Fresh white feathers over turbulent turquoise seas
The rich eggy-yellow heads of Gannets are a constant delight as they sweep past the cliffs of Noup Head. The crisp white …
Fish on parade
The Arctic Terns which breed on Westray come back with a constant procession of fish and then parade them up and down …
Giant nocturnal woodlice
Sea Slaters are giant nocturnal woodlice. They are common in crevices and rock pools and under stones along the coast of Westray. …
Time, slowed
Arctic Terns live their lives in a rush. They’ve got to get their family ready for a journey from pole to pole …
A Common Guillemot’s ramphotheca
The coast of Westray is a great place to see the skeletons of birds. In particular, there are skulls littered across the …
Kelp! I need somebody
I’ve often wondered what kelp-burning pits looked like on Westray. There was a huge industry here, exporting the ash from burning seaplants …