Recon in the Stenness hills

I had an interesting day yesterday. A mate of mine who is a teacher asked for a hand to sus out a walking route for a group of pupils in the summertime. He had chosen Russa Dale to the land slip and on to the summit of mid hill then back down. All this is on my stomping grounds from last year so I had a not to bad idea of the ground. After a quick word with Eric Meek at the RSPB to clear the proposed route through what is a sensitive area we were set to go.
4 of us met up at happy valley next day and after quick introductions we headed through Happy valley and across the fields to the Russa Dale track. Leaving the trees of happy valley and following the burn the contrast between the wooded valley and the bare gully and burn that runs into it is stark and impressive. The work that Edwin has put in in his lifetime to create such a fine wood land is inspirational…a fantastic legacy. Moving up the track along side The Russa Dale burn Wrens are singing in the plantation. I hear that the plantation will suffer some disturbance this summer when archaeologists will be digging a chambered tomb buried below the heather.
The track enters the heather proper and we move along the deep gully edge stopping to look down for birds. Wrens are in evidence as are one or two Stonechats and Blackbirds but little else. The willow and alder are just in the first throws of bursting out so all still looks a little bare. In a couple of weeks the place will be a lot more alive with all the little birds like Willow Warblers drawn in to claim their place for the years breeding efforts. A quick look in to the quarry whilst we were there helps the blokes to sus what they may find. The Ravens nest on the highest face has young in it and are only three days old (I was informed) Hopefully they wont be disturbed and abandoned this year!! The water here is home to a good number of black Darter dragon flies that are a delight to watch on a summers day..Skirting the water we leave the quarry and are faced with the next big stage of the walk, The assent to the top of South Rusky Hill. In the hills it is best to avoid walking the up valleys and stick to the hill faces, ridges and tops. This way there is less chance of disturbing nesting raptors. We follow the heavily over grown track beside the firing range warning flag pole. This takes us about 150 yards in to a point where we turn to face the hill. From here we turn to head strait up. It’s a daunting task, while not to steep it is heavy going as we pick our way up wards. Tackled in small stages its quite surmountable tho. After ten minutes we stop for a breather and a look back from where we have come. Russa Dale is laid out before us with a view clear all the way to the bay of Skail..beutifull. With our breath back we move upwards again gaining more altitude, After another 10 minutes we stop again the lads are feeling the effort now and we start to remove layers an scoop back a drink. I find an owl pellet and dismantle it to find it was once a vole. Looking around we find small rush grasses in bloom(must check names) And a latrine used by Red Grouse along with brown mottled feathers with a white band on the tips…a dead give away. Soon enough its onwards and upwards. The last push to the top takes us over a large bed of Wood Rush. This plant is a legacy of Orkneys wooded past and as is evident in a lot of places. Here the trees have long gone yet the flora of the woodland floor still remains. The soft walking across the Wood Rush and the levelling out of the hill as we near the brow is a welcome relief. Meadow pipits are much in evidence all around. They are still settling in and moving around in loose groups. These will be new arrivals that have wintered in the Med, southern Spain and North Africa. They will be establishing breeding territories over the coming days and weeks.
Our next objective is to see the remains of a large landslide that carried away thousands of tons of peat to the valley floor below. This happened about three years ago after a massif fall of rain. Kirkwall flooded that week end and land slips happened across the county. The ground is now stable but its broken appearance makes for a strange looking landscape. The teachers can do a good piece on the processes involved and you can tell they are just itching to teach!!
The view here is cracking With Kirbister Loch and Waulkmill stretching before us. Looking to the lower slopes down in the valley this is where the birds decide to show off for us. Far below there are two Harriers and as we watch two more are located all quartering the same small patch of heather 2 male and 2 female. There is quite a kafuffle as a pair of Kestrels enter the mix. The ring tails take exception and an active dispute ensues. The smaller Kestrels soon move away some what out gunned.
We turn back up hill now and move on to the summit of Mid Hill to enjoy our lunch and a well earned sit down. The view is absolutely stunning. Mid Hill is well named as it seems to be right in the middle of every thing. The view from here is a panoramic 360 with most of Orkney visible. It’s a stunning vista…probably one of our finest. A Short Eared Owl passes over to give a bit of birding spice. I was surprised to find lots of creeping willow growing across the tops here. I found some toadstools as well which I must check out.
With lunch done its time to move. We plot a line back to the summit of South Rusky hill and from there we begin our descend The descend is easier going than climbing and we make steady progress to the lower levels. Our attention is taken once again by a Hen Harrier. This one is in a dispute with a Raven. They go at it hammer and tongs with the Hen Harrier gaining the upper hand. Eventually the Raven lands on a fence stab and refuses to move again. The Harrier soon looses interest in the stationary bird and moves off.
Leaving the heather and back on the peat track it’s a matter of retracing our tracks back to happy valley. The track is bare at the moment but by June when the lads will be taking their pupils up here this will be one of the most impressive wild flower sights in Orkney With a valley full of bird song.
Its been a good walk to day but June should bring a stunning contrast in the fauna and flora to be seen.