Sandy Laverock
This juvenile Ringed Plover is a wonderful bird. In Orkney the Ringed Plover is called Sandy Laverock. The UK conservation status of …
Trees bursting into flower
At this time of year it’s import to remember that spring will come again, birds will sing, trees will blossom and days …
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #14 The Stonechat
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed, …
Eat more British cheese
At the Columbia Road Flower Market I couldn’t resist these two people and the lettering in the shop window. Eat more British …
The flower market
A trip to London to stay with my son gave us an opportunity to walk to Columbia Road Flower Market. It’s in …
Sea splash
Grobust is one of my favourite beaches on Westray. At one end are rocks which act as a roosting place for gulls …
Stone balls from the stone age
Orkney Museum has an assortment of stone balls in its cabinets. They’re from the Neolithic and our ancestors kept them and prized …
Whale
There’s a whale corpse in the car park at Taftend. It takes up the space a car would, or even a little …
The glories of Woody Nightshade
Once there were purple flowers here with protruding yellow stamens. Now there are berries: It’s Bittersweet, also known as Woody Nightshade, Solanum …
Sulphur Tuft
They’re an unearthly yellow colour. They sprout at the bases of decaying trees. They grow in tufts and tight bundles. They are …
Captain James Cook, warmonger, colonialist, kidnapper and wildlife criminal
I’ve been suspicious about the truth of what I’m taught ever since I was a child. At primary school I learned all …
Lighthouse shadows
I had an enjoyable time flying a drone this summer. I only set it up a few times, as I had to …
Autumn Parasols
One of the exciting finds at Killerton on our fungus foray with the Devon Fungus Group is a Parasol Mushroom. Our leader …
The most beautiful bouquet of Killerton Waxcaps
Killerton is one of my favourite National Trust places in Devon. It’s one of the ones which was sold to the National …
Lydford Gorge
Gabriel and I are visiting the deepest gorge in the South West at Lydford, owned by the National Trust. We’re walking along …
When beef grows on a oak tree
We’re in Wistman’s Wood when I spot a familiar sight. It’s a Beefsteak Fungus, Fistulina hepatica. It’s only small and I’m not …
The magical forest
My son Gabriel’s coming to visit for the weekend. He’s bringing his camera and wants to have a few trips out. We …
Noltland Castle
I’ve wanted to take a decent photograph of Noltland Castle ever since I first saw it, as I struggled up the hill …
Fields like corduroy
I love the hay and silage fields on Westray. From above they look just like corduroy, with their parallel cords of cut …
What was this artificial island used for?
There are several large lochs on Westray. Naturally they’re in depressions in the landscape. The Loch of Burness is in a natural …
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #13 The Rook
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed: …
Scenes from the sea
It’s all about perspective. Looking at familiar scenes from a different place always makes you think more deeply about them. Similarly, seeing …
Grobust
Grobust is one of my favourite beaches on Westray. Can you see the bodyboarders with their bright boards? I love the slightly …
10 ways you know you’re in Orkney
10 ways you know you’re in Orkney Orkney is a very special place. What makes it so special? Here are ten ways …
The advantages of species extinction
It was both sad and entertaining to see that BBC Bitsize, the BBC’s resource for school children, had a list of the …
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #12 The Herring Gull
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed: …
Are these the most northerly cliff-nesting House Martins in the UK?
I spot a House Martin, Delichon urbicum, on the cliffs at the Castle o’ Burrian. That’s nice. Then I spot another one. …
Regatta Day
I love the Westray Regatta. I don’t understand which boats are which. I don’t know the rules. I don’t know where they …
The return of the pot-boiler
There’s a spot on Westray where a buried ruin of a house is being lost to the sea. Whenever there’s a storm …
Harbour Seals
Amazingly, there are limbs inside the fat-suit which seals wear. You would, however, be forgiven for thinking otherwise: This one is delicately …