Wagtails

I saw a nice gathering of Piedwagtails at the Tormiston end of the Stonyhill Rd last night. There were over thirty moving about in the meadow sweet, field and about hands with the burn.

The rise and rise of the blue butterfly

A couple of years ago I noticed in the height of summer weather one or two blue butterflies. These to me seemed the most exotic of things, vivid blue flashes of colour dancing amongst the dry grasses. The last few years seem to have been marked by an increase in the amounts of common butterflies that are to be seen. Small tortoiseshell, Meadow browns, Red admirals and whites all seem far more common than they used to when I was a youngster…..all those years ago!!! The largest increase seems to be with the Common blue. A couple of years ago they were noticeable last year they seemed quite common, indeed there were loads to be found along the grassy places of the west coast. This year they seem to be fairly abundant, I have seen them all over the mainland in suitable heathland habitat. I am not any sort of expert when it comes to our Lepidoptera! and cant say definitively that numbers are on the increase but it looks like for what ever reason their numbers are on the rise across the county……and a colourful addition they are too!!

Death mask

Thirty+ Meadow pipits on the track down to Rerwick head this afternoon. This is the first gathering flock i have seen this season...a sure sign of how the year is wearing away.

Johnny i have been trying to phone you but all i get is the answer service. Check your messages!!

Chillin at Lochside

I took an early evening stop by lochside tonight It was one of those calm mild nights with the sun shining in ladders over the west side as it spilt through the rifts in the sea fog clouds. It was all looking very attractive as a pair of arctic terns began to fish in the mirror calm lee of the islands. At the burn mouth sixteen tufted ducks moved about feeding with one or two oystercatchers and curlew on the shore. The waters that looked quite empty proved to hold quite a few birds coots called cormorants dried their wings, a pair of male red throated divers displayed noisily for a female. Unfortunately for them she seemed unimpressed and took to the air, the lads showed off for a moment more then decided to save their energy. The black swan drifted in to the picture. I was enjoying this as some Ariel combat took my attention. Three mallards all males were having a right scrap, one dropped away and the other two disappeared headed inland to Harray still pushing each other about.
As is usually the case there the air was filled with the sounds of birds, skylarks and meadow pipits competed with the discordant song of the sedge warblers. Above us Curlew and snipe bubbled and drummed. Along the heather drama was unfolding as well as territorial disputes seemed to be the way of the night, Two male reed buntings had a continuous row going on with the female of the pair joining in as well. In amongst all this furious scolding love bloomed as a pair of amours sedge warblers were getting down to business. Through all of this a pair of twite circled with the male displaying an excellent pink rump. It was a beautiful evening and this is just a taste of all that was seen but time and restaurant bookings wait for no man so I had to say goodnight to fine company and views and shoot off to face the music.

Herring gull......oh yea with a spitfire.

Heading for the brief arctic summer

Striking a pose

Along the north coast last week I saw this Wheatear indulging in some interesting behaviour. There were a pair of males about thirty yards apart, both were jumping repeatedly a foot or so in the air, calling then landing stock still with their tail feathers splayed wide. They would hold this pose for a while before repeating the whole performance. I don’t really know what was going on but I think its maybe less to with protecting territory and more to do with impressing a passing female. It did pass the time very pleasantly whilst the kettle boiled tho!!

Corncrake update

Its good news on the Corncrake front. The bird calling here is unrecorded and new to the RSPB. Last night it was torrential rain but tonight is clear and fine. He has been calling since 23.00. This is fingers crossed that this is a new territory being established. Fingers doubly crossed that he is heard by a female with love on her mind!!

Been a good day today

Scarfie

Gloupy doings

It has been a great day today!!!It was the RSPB boat trip around Mull Head today. We managed to get in to the Gloup all the way into the deep cave at the back. I have allways wanted to do that. It was stunning and i was not disapointed....apart from the quality of the photos that is!!

Corncrake

I have just heard a corncrake calling in the fields beyond the house. The last corncrake in the actual garden here was in 79-80. There is a good drizzle going on but i am going out on the bike and going to try and get a good location and sound recording........yee ha the hunt is on....


(edit)...Soon tracked it down. It is calling like a trooper. Its in deep grass with a fenced off section of wet ground beside it. I couldnt see mutch in the dark but made some thirty second sound recordings. I will post some the morn but be warned watching a black screen to hear a corncrake repeatedly calling may well be taking you in to geeky birdy land...lol

Happy valley cuckoo.

Here are a couple of fuzzy shots of the cuckoo thats hanging out in the Happy valley, Biggswell, Russadale area at the moment. It has been showing realy well and providing plenty of entertainment as it avoids atacks from all the local birds. There are several calling cuckoos at the moment scattered across the mainland but with a bit of paticence and a pair of bins this is one thats resonably easy to see.

Tripping up Trump

I recieved this email today. Please read it and if you feel like joining in and saving some homes then have a wee click!!

Hi,
Have a look at this:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/the-bunker

Thousands have spoken out against US billionaire Donald Trump's plans to demolish family homes to build his massive golf course. But Trump hasn't given up yet. He's still pushing Aberdeenshire Council to force local families from their homes. We need to up the pressure again.

Tripping Up Trump have bought a piece of land slap bang in the middle of where Trump wants to build. We've found a legal way for thousands of us to sign up as co-owners of the land. That means as well as speaking up on behalf of the local people threatened by Trump, we can stand alongside them as fellow owners of land he wants to get his hands on.

A plot of land owned by thousands of us makes it a much trickier legal job for Trump. But it also sends a powerful message to the council. They'll know that if they do Trump's bidding, they're not just trampling on local residents, they're taking on thousands of us across Scotland and beyond.

It is simple and quick to sign-up to have your name added as a co-owner of the land. And it doesn't cost anything. Just click here:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/the-bunker

It looks like you may have to copy and paste this link, sorry for the extra effort folks but i cant get the links to work!!!

TEN THOUSAND HITS ! ! !

That is now ten thousand hits on the blog to date. I never thought my feeble musings would be of that much interest. Its all very gratifying and i would like to thank you all for looking in.I hope you all continue to find it enjoyable and interesting. My regards to you all...Daf

Allways nice to be coming home.

Dafs orkney birding is going on the road for a few days. Heading south to explore the north so to speak....back soon.

Sea Eagle.

The big news of the day must surely be thet there has been a Sea eagle seen several times over the last couple of days. Its been seen along the rendall hills north of Finstown. The report on Orkbird this morning was that there were two seen together along the ridge this morning. It has to be worth a look if your out that way. I know i will if i can get the bike up and running !!!
Orkney has a past history of ocupation by sea eagles and with the winter population of grey geese not to mention the summer population then it all ways raises faint hopes that they may once again expand their range and start to occupy the isles.......oooh one day...one day

Old friends

Siskins a garden first!

Siskin’s in the garden this morning were a nice surprise. These are a new garden first for us here. We had three females and one male. They only lasted for a few minutes until they were driven off by a starling and the falling sleet. I shall be keeping a good look out this morning seeing I am indoors and snowed off gardening and enjoying a lazy day….i am a very laxed boss!!!

snow

Here we go theres a good peppering of snow on the hills. Last night the ground and roads were frozen.....seasonal or what!! Come to the sunny north isles!!!

Goslings

I saw my first Greylag goslings being led to the safety of the sea today. Is this a sign that summer is ending....god i hope not its snowing again!!!

Dotterel, its a lifer!!

Today whilst sniffing about the net I happened to check out the all about Orkney site and was pleased to find the blog now included in their new wildlife blogs section. This might account for all the extra hits the counter seems to have been accruing this week. Anyway I returned to the site to show the OH what’s been happening there and to have a look at another local bird blog , Literate herrings, this way…(an excellent blog and my first read of it) when I noticed that orkbird had a notification that there were four Dotterel out in Tankerness. They were in the ploughed field behind the old school just past the tip. This is a bird that I have never seen before so it was a case of jump up and shoot off. I am damn glad I did as well!! There were showers on the way and a good strong wind blowing from the north however I was not going to be put off. On arrival I parked in the yard of the old school house and a quick chat with the owner who was building a new shed soon saw mt tucked away in a corner of his yard out of the weather. It took a moment to find the birds but we were soon both enjoying views of this beautiful and elegant bird. It was a lifer for me and once again orkbird shows it’s worth. The photos struggled a bit in the conditions with distance and bluster I hope you enjoy them. The north wind is going to continue for the next few days so there is a possibility that these excellent birds may remain so if your out and about I would urge you to have a look at these rare visitors whilst they are about!!

Sunset at lochside

The volcanic ash laden sky on the 22 april.

RSPB bird records for april 2010

APRIL 2010


An interesting month with spring migration really getting under way. A Great Crested Grebe was in Widewall Bay on 27th. A strong Fulmar passage involved up to 5000 per hour past Marwick on 1st; a ‘blue’ bird was off Birsay on 16th.

Whooper Swans decided it was time to head back to Iceland; 36 were over the Harray Loch on 9th while seven sat on the sea at Marwick on that date building up their courage! 40 flew out to sea over Birsay on 12th. There was a big movement of Pink-footed Geese as they headed the same way; 2700 passed over North Ronaldsay between 20th-23rd, 600 were over Costa and 600 flew out to sea over Marwick on the latter date while there were many reports of up to 500. The Loons Greenland White-fronted Goose flock held just 32 birds on 4th although one was nearby at Twatt on 22nd and four on Egilsay on 27th; most unusually, 500 moved north over Durkadale in three flocks on 11th. Less common grey geese involved a Bean Goose on North Ronaldsay on 15th and 20th; two Eurasian White-fronted Geese there on 2nd; and two Snow Geese in Sandwick on 27th. Barnacle Geese were conspicuous after 20th with up to 53 on North Ronaldsay, 42 at the Skaill Loch, 24 at Costa, 22 on Burray and 19 at The Loons; 13 remained on Papay all month. During the same period, up to 24 Light-bellied Brent Geese were found at Marwick with six in Birsay Bay, three on Papay and one on North Ronaldsay; the latter island also reported two Dark-bellied Brent Geese on 9th and 27th.

Ever an early breeding species, a Mallard duck accompanied 14 ducklings at Scapa Distillery on 28th. The best Pintail count was 28 at Sanday’s Loch of Rummie on 7th while that for Gadwall was 36 at the Brodgar Pools on 17th. A spectacular drake Mandarin was at Mill Dam, Shapinsay on 17th while North Ronaldsay’s Ring-necked Duck remained there all month. 50 Scaup were on the Skaill Loch on 28th while the Peedie Sea provided an excellent count of 120 Long-tailed Ducks on 21st. A pair of Goosanders were on the Stenness Loch on 5th and one on the Loch of Brockan on 23rd. The Loch of Skaill Smew put in its final appearance of the winter on 11th.

Away from breeding areas, a Buzzard was in the Widewall area all month and, more unusually, one was on North Ronaldsay on 28th. Marsh Harriers put in their customary spring appearance with singles at Loch of Banks on 2nd, in Rendall on 4th and on Rousay and at The Loons on 27th. Goshawks have become more regular in recent years and one was in Rendall on a typical date of 13th.

The first Corncrake was back on Papay on 26th. By far the largest Golden Plover flock was 1300 on Burray but there were many reports of up to 400 as northern race birds prepared to move back to their breeding grounds. The only Knots reported were three singles on North Ronaldsay up to 13th and 19 on Papay on 29th. North Ronaldsay also produced the peak counts of Sanderling (82 on 16th) and Purple Sandpipers (104 on 28th). A single Black-tailed Godwit was at The Shunan from 11th then, from 20th, five flocks of up to 10 were noted. This month saw an especially strong passage of Whimbrels from 18th on, peaking on 27th when small parties were noted in many parts of South Ronaldsay and an amazing flock of 58 was at the Mill Dam of Rango. Three Common Sandpipers had returned to a breeding site at the Loch of Bosquoy by 25th. More unusual waders included Ruff (one at the Skaill Loch on 24th and two at Rango on 28th), Wood Sandpiper (one at The Shunan on 25th), Greenshank (one over Shapinsay on 11th, one at Burwick on 14th and one in Deerness on 29th) and Spotted Redshank (the wintering bird at The Shunan until at least 23rd).

A very early Arctic Skua was seen over Stenness on 11th, one off Marwick on 16th, one on Papay on 17th and two off Shapinsay on 18th then no more until 26th. Common Gulls were already sitting on eggs on Shapinsay by 23rd, an early date. The Stromness Iceland Gull lingered until at least 26th while others were seen in Holm Sound on 12th and at Rennibister on 17th. The only Glaucous Gull was one at Newark Bay, Deerness on 29th. Sandwich Terns became widespread but the first Arctic Tern, typically, was not seen until 25th (Loch of Tankerness) and the first Common Tern on 27th (Rango).

The strange passage of Wood Pigeons through the north isles was again noted with five on Papay on 1st and up to three on North Ronaldsay between 1st-5th and again on North Ronaldsay on 27th/28th. Collared Doves were also noted there with up to three on four dates. A Cuckoo was calling in Rendall from 23rd and another was seen on North Ronaldsay on 27th. What was perhaps the rarest bird of the month was a Hoopoe, on Stronsay, from 6th-10th. A Long-eared Owl was on North Ronaldsay on 12th and a very early Swift over Stromness on 28th.

The first Swallow was noted in Stenness on 11th followed by a scatter of records up to 23rd after which birds became widespread. Sand Martins also first appeared on 11th when five were in Birsay, 18 having gathered there by 25th and others having been seen in four localities. An early House Martin was seen on North Ronaldsay on 7th but then no more until 25th after which birds were seen at five sites. The first White Wagtails were two in Birsay Bay on 25th then 26 were reported there on 30th, possibly an Orkney record count. Grey Wagtails were noted at their breeding site in Kirkwall and in other possible nesting areas at Wideford Burn on 4th and St. Margaret’s Hope on 9th.

Following the first Wheatears in late March, birds became more widespread during early April with, for example, six at Houton on 5th and up to 29 on North Ronaldsay from 9th – 12th; a strong passage was noted on the latter island on 27th when 175 were logged. Single Black Redstarts were seen on Rousay on 7th and North Ronaldsay on 10th while a Ring Ouzel was in Rendall on 10th and three on North Ronaldsay on 28th. Fieldfares were only seen on North Ronaldsay with one on 7th and up to three after 26th. Up to 40 Redwings were seen in Stenness and on North Ronaldsay mid-month while there were several records of singing birds in Rendall, Swannay and Costa. In amongst all this migratory activity, local Blackbirds got on with their business and a fledged brood was noted in Kirkwall as early as 15th.

The first Sedge Warbler was noted at Hestily, South Ronaldsay on 26th followed by others at The Loons and in Costa over the next couple of days. A Grasshopper Warbler was in song in Rendall on 30th. A Blackcap visited a Greeny garden on 7th and two were on North Ronaldsay on 10th. Two others occurred after 25th when one-two Lesser Whitethroats appeared in Evie, Deerness and on North Ronaldsay the latter locality also reporting an early Common Whitethroat. Chiffchaffs were noted in ten localities with up to four on North Ronaldsay and three in Rendall. The first Willow Warblers were two in song at Finstown on 10th, several more arriving on 11th/12th, a maximum seven being recorded on North Ronaldsay on 27th. A Pied Flycatcher was in Deerness on 28th.

A Great Grey Shrike was a good find by a visiting birding group at Whaness, Hoy on 12th. North Ronaldsay reported its usual light spring passage of corvids with a peak of nine Rooks on 9th and six Carrion Crows on 28th; a Rook was also on Papay on 8th.
Bramblings were noted in nine localities with as many as four in Finstown on 25th while one-two Goldfinches were reported from six sites. Similarly, small numbers Siskins passed through with one-two at six sites and up to five in Rendall. Up to three Common Redpolls were on North Ronaldsay on 25th/26th while two Lesser Redpolls were in Rendall on 27th and 30th. A possible Arctic Redpoll was seen in Costa on 21st/22nd. Up to three Crossbills were seen in Rendall with the maximum on 2nd when one was also in Holm; another was found dead on Burray on 19th. The late March arrival of Hawfinches continued into early April with singles reported from Lythes and St. Margaret’s Hope (South Ronaldsay), Stromness, Rendall and North Ronaldsay during 1st – 3rd. Two-three lingering Snow Buntings were noted in three West Mainland localities and on Papay during 15th-28th while single Lapland Buntings were seen on North Ronaldsay on 3rd and 10th.

Eric Meek

Raptors in the hill

I went in to the hill tonight in the early evening. I wasn’t all that far from home and I was really just out for a bit of a leg stretch and a spy about. I’m not going to say just where it was but it was a fairly typical sort of valley, grazed fields giving what to rough grazing and then the heather hill. Several burns run of the hills here and there are stands of scrub willow dotted about the lower slopes. The walk up over the fields had lapwings and oystercatchers mixed with a few greylag geese that have no intention of heading to Iceland. The rough grazing has rabbits scampering around my feet as I pick my way through the clumps of rush grass.
Through the throng of calling meadow pipits and skylarks I here a familiar song! To my delight I can here the descending song of a willow warbler the first this year. I take the opportunity to draw breath and have a look. Before me there are a few spruce trees and beyond that a large clump of willow. Its from in here that the bird is singing. Unfortunately its quite sporadic and doesn’t seem to keen to get up high and sing, its enough to know he is here though. It’s a good job as well because as im standing looking panic is spreading up the valley as birds scatter and warning alarms sound. The reason is almost instantly obvious, a male hen harrier is quartering its way along the burn, swooping about the stands of shrubs as he attempts to put up small birds. This is quite a show but just as quickly he is gone, disappearing over the brow of a low slope. With in moments the sound of birds re-emerges to fill the air. I move on towards the heather edge. I had not been moving for more than five minutes and the male harrier returned to give the burn another look. This time I plonk down the scope and scope the slow moving fella up. It’s a fine twisting plunging display as he pounces a couple of times unsuccessfully until he moves off from sight once again.
A bit of peace falls over the hills side before me and I sit in the lea of a ruined building. I am out of the north wind and am catching the warm rays of the sun. Is so unusual to feel the sun so hot on the skin I think I’m going to get an instant tan…lovely. Looking across the vista before me I see high sloping hillsides covered in heather. You can hear curlews and red grouse from in front as the wind is carrying the sound towards me. The next raptor to arrive is a male short eared owl. I see it on the horizon as crosses and descends, It makes little effort to quarter the ground. It turns and banks then turns again and lands. During this manoeuvre it was giving out a rough barking call. I scope him up as he sits. Its apparent he is sitting looking out making no effort to preen. As minutes pass I look about to see what else is happening returning briefly to the owl to check he is still there. On the third look he was gone! A quick look drawn by the same call put me strait on him. The moment I acquired him in the bins my relieved breath I was about to exude was strangled in the throat as a darker larger female burst from the ground to and I a flurry of wings turn almost inverted and receive a food pass. It was over in seconds and my eye naturally followed on after the male as he moved of horizontally along the hillside. Within seconds I was back to look for the female. She was nowhere to be seen though she hadn’t flown off and was not on the wing anywhere in sight, neither was she insight on the heather. It now dawned on me that I had just seen a food pass to a bird that was sitting on a nest. I had found one of those really hard to find sites a SEO nest site…..excellent. The male eventually crested the horizon and disappeared over the hill top.
Ravens and big gulls moved along the hilltop horizon and the raptors settled down for a bit. With nothing in the air I turned my attention to scanning the heather its self. This proved to be successful almost strait away, on the lower slopes I found a female ringtail casually preening. I put her in the scope and even though she was quite distant and a bit engulfed by the heat haze that was messing up efforts to film and photograph her she was providing a nice enough view. To my surprise though another bird arrived and although this one lifted up it soon settled unperturbed by the new arrival. My thoughts are that these are first year birds and probably related. So with the two of them on the ground I an trying to get them both in frame with the digiscope the male bird comes on the scene. This looks good and the ring tail is rising to the male things really get a head of steam. Screaming into this comes yet another ringtail female. There is a furious strumash of wheeling shrieking birds as the new bird sets about the other two and has them sent on their way quick smart. It is breath taking and dramatic stuff. With the competition gone the pair play and bond with a delight full interaction around the willow stands both will land and the male will preen, this wont last for more than a minute then the female will make him rise and settle again. This goes on for a while and I make some efforts to film the male but its all desperately far for the camera.
As I am doing this I am aware of the owl calls coming from up the valley at the probable nest site. I can see nothing there but sure enough a scan about shows the male short eared owl entering the hill side. He moves along the hillside high up and despite the calls moves over the hill top and disappears…probably foodless. I move back to the hen harriers but they too are up and moving away. I take that as my cue to move away as well. I have only been watching for forty minutes but it’s the sort of forty minutes that make Orkney such a special place.

Want to see it for your self come for a walk…phone 771697…we seldom close.

Whimbrel alert

Yesterday Allan Leicht reported 70+ Whimbrel at Rango. Just now i saw a dozen coming in the Stonyhill Rd in the crop field oppisite Masehow. The wind is from the west at the moment and the south easterlies have dropped away......exelent...works done and the rest of the day is my own...

THE BIRDS OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

The skua dives. The albatross
Flies over seas so mountainious
The thought of it will overwhelm.
The young boy standing at the helm.

Should he dare to turn his face around.
Aware of that unspoken sound:
The fathomless, the swallowing.
The green, green towers following?

Where is the earth? Where is the sun?
The wheel spins now. The boy has run.
The rigging groans. The three masts fall.
Can god be in this world at all?

And there is nothing but the sea.
And mad birds crying endlessly.



Eddie Cummins
1999
I FLAME at WORDS.

Last winter walk with Tim

This last Sunday marked the last walk of the season with Tim Dean. I must admit my attendance has been a bit sparse this year so I was looking forwards to the day, despite being warned it was to be a long walk in the heart of the west mainland. We all met up at the car park in the centre of Dounby. The plan for the day was to be a liner walk with half of the cars left at the brig below Click mill where the Hillside burn runs into Glimms moss and on through Durkadale. This was to be the finish point, we would start at the Corrigall farm museum and by way of a very circuitous route wend our way back here. Before we even start off there’s time for a look about here. There are a few greylag that were hanging about in pairs. The burn also revealed a pair of Widgeon that looked intent on sticking around. The rest of there breed has largely moved off. In a few short weeks the Widgeon has moved from being one of our commonest occurring winter ducks to one of the UKs rarest breeding birds with I think im right in saying only four or five hundred pairs across the north of the British isles. Orkney is lucky enough to have a fair portion of these fine looking ducks breeding here. As we are setting off for the start point a good flock of Pinkfeet circle and come down in fields south of us. Here they will do some quick feeding before taking advantage of the favourable winds that threaten to suck them off towards Iceland with an irresistible draw of spring.
The departure from Corrigall led us through the farm yard and along a track in towards the Harray hills and the dale of Corrigall. Linnets in pairs and blackbirds accompanied us as we went. Some of the first chattering Swallows hunted up and over the gorse lined gully. The burn is descending over the series of small steps provided delightful background music as we admire the fine yellow displays of gorse flowers and primroses set off so well by a bit of sunshine. The first butterflies of the year for me appeared. I always look on this a one of the real starter moments of the summer season. They were all to be Lesser Tortoiseshells that would have been stirred to life from their hibernations by the temperature rise of the last couple of days. The track wound on until we were almost opposite the track that leads into the peat hill at the Vale of Corrigall. The first bird to bee seen causing a stir is the years first Bonxie. The very silhouette of this dark marauder is enough to put fear in the hearts of the field birds and every thing nervously lifts in to the air to circle and land as the danger recedes. Here as we stand and watch the sceptical we begin to watch a pair of distant Hen harriers soaring above the hill. Eventually they came closer putting up a flock of golden plover. These birds are looking truly resplendent in their summer plumage. They are staging here before moving on to pastures further north east or west. After a good look through them it was back on with the Harriers. The male was seen to start to skydance for the female but all to soon crested the hill and fell from view. All to soon we have to be moving on and the series of tracks eventually lead us out on to the Lyde road. We now have a short road section that will take us to below St Michel’s kirk and once more on to tracks and off tarmac. The ditches along the road and tracks are alive with colour the yellows of celandine and Marsh marigold attracting in more freshly awoken butterfly’s. In the shorter cut grass and verges the blue flowers of Germander Speedwell are starting to show well. The Kirk is being used today for service so we bypass its opportunity to view one of the best view points on the west mainland, it was unfortunate but it will always be there. We move on all the time accompanied by singing Meadow pipits, Skylarks, curlews and Lapwings. Soon enough we crest the hill and before us stretches a magnificent view of the west mainland basin with the parishes of Quoyloo, Sandwick and Birsay. Dominating the foreground is the Loch of Bosquoy. This gem of the west mainland is to be where we are to have our lunch and a welcome rest.
Bosquoy is a beautiful wee loch. Its shallow waters are abundant in small brown trout and the waters hold fine beds of reeds that form a couple of lagoons there’s shelter between them from a couple of crannogy islands. The vital abundance of life here is irresistible to bird life during the winter months and even now there are hundreds of Tufted ducks staging here before moving further north to breed in the all to brief arctic summer. We are not alone here and we share scopes with another group of birders as we tuck in to our well earned sandwiches.
Before us are a few Potchard and a good number of Shoveller. At the far end of the lock are a good wee flock of Pin tailed ducks, they are looking very sharp. These might be moving on but they might also stay and breed in the isles. These are another extremely rare breeding duck for the UK and Orkney supports its fair share!! There’s a commotion in the breks beyond the shore as a male Hen harrier is sent on its way with a barrage of attacks from lapwings and Curlews. The weather is misty and grey looking in to the distance with more open skies above us. The air is not too bad to look through though and it’s a good job because in the shallows on the far side is a splendid Spotted Redshank. This is a bird that is seen in Orkney four or five times a year although this is probably the one that’s been seen over at the Shunan on and off for the last few weeks. It is looking stunning in its summer plumage of black feathers. This is the first I have seen in summer plumage and its defiantly bird of the day. Another passing migrant to show up was a Common sandpiper. This shot down the waters edge calling as it passed us to land some where on the lower shore. It was set up by an arriving fisherman to disappear once again. With our fast well broken and our feet rested we wander up the loch side to get better views of the Pintails before returning to the track . Three more Sandpipers move past us calling. It really is a wee gem Bosquoy.
The track now leads out to the main Harray road. We walk parallel with it in a field before crossing it and turning in to the Nisthouse road that leads us past the Shunan. This is a shallow loch that can dry up completely in the hot summer time. Today it is fairly full and is teeming with birds. None of them are particularly rare but there are all the usual suspects. It is a fine place to watch life going on and during the migration times the exposed muddy flats can prove irresistible for a hungry well travelled migrant so you never know what might turn up. It’s a place well worth a look in passing. We follow the track uphill past Nisthouse and the rookery. All the way along the track there seem to be sparrows and Linnets. More Brown hares are recorded. I forgot to mention that we were recording hares as we went but I had lost count at fifteen or so and that was ages ago!! Walking now on single track road we pass Holodyke looking impressive with it’s newly harrled walls. Turning into the hill at the new windmill sub station the vegetation changes again as we move along, rough grazing to one side and heather on the other. Snipe are put up as we move along. Little birds moving along the gorse turn out to be Greenfinches rather than the expected Linnets. Greenfinches seem to be increasing their range in Orkney and can be found in all sorts of unusual places. We have seen and heard a few Wrens as we went but I don’t think they were in big numbers. Another bird conspicuous by its absence was the Stonechat. I have seen only one pair and only heard of three other pairs being seen. Although its early in the season I hope for more to show. They may have been hard hit by the long cold of winter. I suppose time will tell. With the darkness of the heather moors before us a pair of Wheatears emerging from a nest hole bring a dash of colour, both birds looking at the peak of their breeding condition. The last mile and a half wend back to the Hillside road and the cars. Another small stretch of road yet there’s no lack of birds, Curlew, Lapwing, Skylark and Meadow pipit abound. Snipe take to the air from muddy puddles and all around Greylag geese seem set on remaining in the heather to breed. The last birds to be seen of the walk are another flock of Golden plover although less than seventy yards from us they don’t panic and fly but choose to slowly walk away down the hill. Probably an indication of how tired they are after a long flight to get here. We are finally at the cars and I can empathise with them…I am pooped as well but it has been and outstanding six hours of walking!!

Merry dancers

That was an exelent display last night lasting from one untill the back of four in the morning. Its been years since i have seen the lights and was well pleased with it last night. Strange that the two aurora watches i checked had no warnings!!

Northern lights happening right now!! 01.15

Russadale

Chafinch calling and Dunnocks going for it, M henharrier close in, 'swallow' hunted around buildings yesterday...place was cooking!!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...CUT THE TAX

This is looking back along the perimeter path of the Brodgar reserve. The brown patch is where the winter bird crop has been ploughed under. It is still a hot bed of activity though with Meadow pipit, Skylark,Twite and Linnet all showing strongly as they forage for food.

Scaup

Some Scaup from sundays walk

close call

Leaving Stromness to night for reasons to long to go into here I had tied on the back of the bike a big bag of shopping a pair of waterproof trousers and my separate hard drive with three years worth of photos. So after a good blat up the Howe bray and down the other side (surely you mean 80kph officer) I realised to my horror the back seat was empty. I quickly retraced my steps to find gulls hovering over the contents of my shopping bag. Approaching I see the hard drive lying in the road along with my oilskins and some assorted veg! The drive its self was wrapped in a towel and then in a bin bag to protect it from the rain. It was looking well rat chewed as I grab it and shove it in my coat. All the time I am telling my self don’t stress…don’t stress. Mind you as I am saying that I am kicking an empty tomato can and an empty soup can in to the ditch. The food is the last of my concerns as I head home…don’t stress…don’t stress. I get in doors and have to piss before I can bring my self to look or unwrap the poor thing. The bag is in tatters and the towel is ripped and poking out…..ooooer. With it all pealed back the box is scuffed about the corners where it was abraded through…..oooer Its connected up and switched on….it makes spinning up noises all be it with an ominous sort of tick from time to time. As the computer boots up the picasa icon stays unlit. Oh well I think, I was hoping for a lot. Mind you, you have to have a wiggle of all the connectors don’t you. Well bugger me if the icon don’t light up!! After a moment the photo store opens and I have the last album I used in view. Its un responsive though and I sit clicking the mouse and tapping the drives scared case…..the screen flickers a bit and starts to work, I can run up and down the album list and select things oh joy oh joy!!. As far as I can see its working away fine. Its this sort of thing that will send me grey haired, well if I wasn’t allready..lol.
It looks to me it went along the road for at least forty yards at a fair lick. The reason its survived is down to the towel wrap and the electrical engineering skills of Mick Rennie who built it of as solid stock as he could because that’s what he does. The man is an engineering genius of the first order. (last time I saw him he was designing and building a steam engine from complete scratch to run a Suzuki alternator just for some thing to do whilst he was between jobs) Nice one Mick I take my hat off to you!! I owe you big style!!!

Fortunately for us the wet and heavy snows have passed south of us. Easter now looms so fingers crossed it will herald a change to warmer air. Some TV reporter today said it was forecast to be a hot summer. Looking to the last two winters the forecasts don’t lead to much confidence though. What will be will be tho and we will see what like when it comes. Life is bursting out all over though and birds are on territories every where. I heard my first Meadow pipit display this morning. Simon showed me a nice blackbird sitting on a nest in his greenhouse. It is nicely tucked away in a hole in the wall out of the sun. It will be interesting to see how it gets on. Its getting brighter out side now after getting rained off at the back of three. I think I might go out again for a bit. Scope out Barnhouse or something.....and thats nae kiddin

Facebook the next step forwards

I thought I was immune from the all encompassing Facebook but it seems not so today I am launching a Facebook page for the blog. The page is called Orkney Birding and if you are a facebooker then I hope you will search it down. You will be very welcome!

A poem from Lizz of the Org

Grey Geese

I hear your noisy calls and lift my head towards the sky,
There you are, a V shaped skein that holds the eye.
I watch you fly across the bay to margins where you graze,
To the fields where are gathered numbers that amaze.

I have seen you slip and slide across the frozen loch,
Circle round and land beside the ancient broch.
Watched the sky turn grey above the place you roost,
Each time you gave my heart a boost.

But now it's almost time for you to go,
Back to the lands you left before the winter snow.
Fly straight, be strong and true.
When Autumn comes, I will look again for you.