Escorted Heron
There must be at least 30 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan on Westray. When an unfortunate Grey Heron strays overhead it …
The rabbit chase
Ravens love a choice cut of Rabbit. Skin on. There can be over twenty of them in the dunes at the Sands …
A world turned upside down
Ravens are wary birds. They recognise humans from a huge distance and fly away, because all of those who didn’t have been …
The Raven and the Rabbit’s head
Ravens are so difficult to get close to. Their eyesight is exceptional and they recognise any threat from a great distance. They’re …
Rabbit ears flapping in the wind
There are 50 Ravens at the Sands o’ Maesan. One of them has the head of a Rabbit in its beak. I …
Raven
Have you ever looked at a photograph and seen something in it which you didn’t see at the time you took it? …
The corby betakes himself to the precipices
There’s a raggedy Raven in the skies. I’ve been reading the Reverend George Low’s Fauna Orcadensis from 1813 on the Raven. It’s …
The pool
There’s a rock pool fed with fresh water fram a tiny waterfall on the west coast of Westray. I love how green …
Ravens and rocks
The west coast of Westray has some of the best walking in the islands. There are fossilised remains of ripples on the …
The Three Ravens
Ravens are large and impressive birds. I’m at Noup Head, the lighthouse on Westray, when I see three of them arrive. “They …
The Three Ravens
We’re at RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth. It’s a grey day. It’s the perfect dramatic atmosphere for Ravens. There are a group of …
Westray Coast 50 – Day One
My adventures on the first of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
The linguistic displacement of Ravens
There’s a Raven’s nest in this ruinous building on Westray:
Ravens are special because, just like humans, they display linguistic displacement; they can communicate using language about objects far away in space or time.
That’s what I’m doing now, with you.
Sigurd the Stout and his Raven banner
Earl Sigurd the Stout was an Earl of Orkney. The Orkneyinga Saga says he fought with a Raven banner made by his …
The Twa Corbies
The Twa Corbies is a favourite ballad of mine, so I’m delighted to see two Ravens on the cobble and pebble beach …
Raven over Einar
There’s a Raven perched at the back of Einar. By the time I get my camera it is already in flight. I …