Curlew flypast
A chance encounter with a Curlew always improves my day. They’re my emotional connection to the wilderness we’ve lost.
The Third Ladybird Book of British Birds – #16 The Curlew
I’m currently reading the third volume of the Ladybird Book of British Birds and their nests from the 1950s. Times have changed …
The divine right of kings and wildlife on the menu
I’ve discovered the fabulous menu of a dinner fit for a king, eaten in 1625, served in a local house in South …
Whaup in Buttercups
Whaup is the Orcadian name for the Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata. Here’s one flying above the Buttercups in Westray: They’re severely threatened …
Curlew
It’s a warm evening, bathed in orange light. I hear the call first. Then it’s the flypast. It’s a Curlew. There’s been …
Last call of the Curlew
Every time I mention that Curlews are threatened, that their populations are collapsing, that several of the species worldwide are threatened or …
Grass Snakes, King Curlews and their Lapwing attendants
Any patch of good weather means there’s a chance of cutting hay for silage. The people of Westray have perfected the art …
Flutterings
Coronavirus has destroyed my livelihood. I’ve had all my work cancelled for a year and will have absolutely no income. I’m also …
Island of contrasts
Walking to the north coast of Westray I’m struck by how diverse the views are. Here are Curlews on the bay with …
Westray Coast 50 – Day Four
My adventures on the fourth of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day Three
My adventures on the third of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Curlew wading
I recently saw a flock of over 100 Curlews on the fields at the side of the River Exe. They seem to …
The haunting last sound of the British wilderness
Curlews. The very last authentic sound of the British wilderness.
The last call of the wilderness
Curlews are a familiar site on Westray. Their distinctive ‘Whaup whaup’ can seem very eerie when it echoes around the Island. The …
Whaup Whaup overhead
A trip to the Bay of Skaill reveals the shallow turquoise waters which look Caribbean to someone as starved of heat as …
Curlew
Curlews are in serious decline across the UK. It’s probably because so much of the land is used for food production and …
Whaup
Curlews are called Whaups in Orkney and there are thousands of them here all year round. They’re our biggest wading bird and …