Yum yum

Goosander

Sunday class with Tim Dean.

At 10.30 this morning five of us turned up at the Holm community centre car park for this months Tim Dean all day birding class. The weather as forecast was stunning with some high cloud and blue skies. To add to the effect the wind dropped all day letting the surface of the sea fall nice and calm. You really couldn’t ask for better, it was a bit of a contrast with last months. The first bird of the day was a Waxwing that was coming to apple and a berry bush. Fantastic birds and a first for some of the class. We watched it come and go for a wee while. Out attention was also take by a Dunnock singing from the top of a fir tree. Fun as it was we heade3d off down the back lane bit to have a look over the Loch of Ayre. The whole loch is hooching with birds as usual. The Whooper swans massively out number the Mutes today. The males are argumentative with each other producing continuing bouts of blokish behaviour..all very entertaining. The majority of the ducks are Widgeon with tufted and mallard the next most represented. Saying that I would have thought there would have been more tufted duck about. We exercised our scopes and bins for a bit picking out Male and female Gadwall and male and female Goldeneye. A car stops and it turned out to be Keith Hague who tells us there is a goosander around the corner and out of our sight. Its an excellent tip as it’s a bird I need for the old photo year list. We all wave him on his way and pile across the road to the shore track and sure enough Tim is the first one to get on it. He calls it sitting on the bank. A quick snap and its mine. We check out all the Mergansers we can see looking for another…and there are a few but with no luck so we are off back to the cars. After an uneventful walk back we are putting scopes away and chatting when suddenly every thing rises. There are flocks of Starlings followed by a flock of Golden Plover. Every thing is in a panic. Whilst we are looking for the cause a Sparrow hawk shoots across the car park feet from us at ankle height with a Starling in its talons. It pulls up in to an impossibly steep climb and pops over the community centre to disappear into the gardens beyond. Stunning, leaving behind it settling panic and a memory of whooshing feathers…..its wagons roll for Hunda.

Crossing the barriers the hunt is on for our target bird the Grey Phalarope. Yesterday there were none to be seen along the barriers so today the plan is to go to the island of Hunda. This is small island (200 acres) that sticks out into Scapa flow joined to Burray by a causeway. This will get us further out in to the sea and give us a better chance to find Grey Phal if they are still about. The barriers hold little apart from Red Throated and Great Northern Divers. We stop off at Echna bay lay-by. The sea is nice and calm the air still. From the far side of the bay we can here the mesmeric calls of Long Tailed Ducks. The sea is dotted with birds so we are soon sorting through them. There are rakes of Mergansers,Slavonian ,Greebs, RT and GN Divers, some nice Velvet Scoters and a first for me a Red Necked Greeb. I have looked for one a few times so I am finally chuffed to get one. I was a bit gutted to find that the only picture I got of it has its head in the water but such is life!!. With the warm sun on us we stop to enjoy a coffee before heading to Hunda.

Hunda is a small island that at one time supported nine pepole. Nowadays it is left to the sheep. It is conect6ed to the island of Burray by a causeway. Its an interesting feature in its self as no one really knows who built it. It was built maybe by the army between the wars or during the second war but know one realy kens. It is still solid and it wont go below the highest tide so you cant get cut off…cool. Parking at the farm of Littlequoy we walk the track to the shore scoping the sound as we go. Mergansers and long tailed ducks are conspicuous along with a couple of GND’s. We cross watching our footing as we go. We get close to a few Long tailed ducks that give every one a good view before they fly. Onto the island its self and we head for east Ayre the furthest point north to look out in to the Flow. Ahead is a Heron stood atop of a ten foot cliff looking down on to the rocky shore. I think he must have been taking a moment out to do some digesting stood up there. So far none of the coastline we have tried has held no Phalaropes and the Hunda shore is no different. Reaching the point the first bird that pops up is a Snow bunting…excellent. Every one has fine views as the rest of the flock appears over head. It is an absolute delight to be hearing the my first snow buntings of winter. With this we stop for lunch. Sitting looking out into the small area of Scapa Flow that we can see twenty or more Great northern divers dotted about. Some more Red throated divers that are in pairs and threes. Below on the rocky shore Turnstones forage and newly returned Purple sandpipers move across the lower rocks, they are as yet single birds but more will be coming soon. On the point of leaving we meet the folks who own the island coming from the other direction,they tell us of wee white birds on the sea moving like clockwork toys. YEE HAA we are off. As we are walking the western shore looking out into the flow its becoming obvious the sea here is full of fish. Accompanying us as we walk are a load of diving Gannets. They are twisting in to a dive at about fifty meters and plunging in to catch fish in spectacular fashion. There activity is bringing in Herring gulls and Blackbacks looking for easy food. Moving along an excited cry goes up as a flock of Phalaropes swirls around to land just out of sight. The class move to the cliff edge just in time to see the flock rise and head off towards Holm. A bit of a bummer but at least some folks got to see there first Phalarope. Continuing on to complete our circum navigation of the island we arrive above the Bar Taing looking in to the wee bay called the hope, not to be confused with the Hope over the bay hehehe. Out on the water it is mayhem Gannets maybe 75 or more are continually diving steadily feeding there are big gulls every where Its an impressive scene . There are more divers and sea ducks. The light is going fast and as there are no Phalaropes to be seen we press on rounding Cairn Head with its Broch and on past the Laxigar shore with its rich red sand stone. A few Turnstone and ringed Plovers were dotted about the best waders we see are a pair of Bar tailed godwits tho. The sun is setting as we cross onto the causeway. It seems like for the first time for ages that we have had a fiery sunset so it is a double treat being in such a fine site to see it.

Even though it is getting dark and we are about done the birding go’s on. A spy over the water reveals a large flock of Mergansers starting their roost. A count up has 75 with another 25 or more on the other side of the barrier. These lift off to settle with the big flock giving over a hundred..how smart is that!! Wondering how you top that the sound of gun fire towards the hope has put up Geese and by the sound of them lots of geese. Sure enough here they come filling the skies Fifteen hundred maybe more…who knows. The air it thick. They fall out the sky in a twinkling of an eye. With in a minute or so they are in a huge flock in the middle of water sound with the sun setting behind them…..Not a bad end to a not bad day.

Waxwings this morning.

Its a two bird day.

A good day today. I managed to get a photo of a Redpoll in the garden which is another addition to my county photo year list not to mention the garden list!! This morning a flock of twittering birds came over the house and settled. Listening to them and not recognising what they were I ran round to the front to find three Redpolls in the sycamore starting to feed. There were more in the willows across the paddock. I grabbed my bins and after a minute the scope. I managed a few shaky shots as I struggled to split my time between watching through the scope and taking photos. Classic way to get crap photos which I did of course. At sunset I walked the dog up the valley and they were still about so it looks likely they will roost there and might be about at first light!

The other birds of the day were nine Waxwings. I was working on the north end of the back road when I heard there calls. I ran up the road to see them pass over head. I think they were the same ones as reported by almootie today as it was almost the same time as his report. I think there were three reports today on orkbird and a couple more on Orkney forum. It looks like the mainland has a fair smattering of them. I will be going back to Stromness to see if I can add to the year list the morn…..yeehaa..

BARNHOUSE

A quick visit to Barnhouse today produced good numbers of Widgeon. It was Teal that were the big surprise with loads along the Harray shore line. There was little sign of Slavs but I was happy to see my first male and female Goldeneye of the winter happily feeding away opposite the Stenness kirk.

GREY PHALAROPES

GREY PHALAROPES

After the shite weather of the last few days it seems the forcast must have blown out of the window at some point. Things weren’t as expected when I woke up this morning. Blue skies and flat calm was the last thing I was expecting. The bike has been off the road with a wheel off for days so after throwing it back on I set off for the barriers and the Phalaropes.

For days now I have been reading reports of Grey Phalaropes around the barriers with the number growing each time. I went to see the bird at Deerness last winter a few times and it was a little cracker. It was quite tolerant of a close approach and interesting to watch feed. A pleasant slow run didn’t produce a lot on the way. There were small groups of red wings here and there and a Merlin crossed the road just above the traffic below Saverock. The loch at Holm had a good few Whoppers and Slavs kicking around. With nothing at the first barrier I cross slowly checking but see little. Next stop the pier on Lamb Holm, the only white birds on the water prove to be Tysties and over the pier has nothing hiding behind it. I shoot some photos of Scarfies and a roosting Oyster Catcher in the bright sun light. It’s a bit bright for this old camera but never mind. With the photos done I move off further down the barrier I pass another birder about half way down skulking about. Un seen by me there are thirty odd Grey Phal in the choppy water on the Scapa side. I miss the chance to turn in to the car park so I carry on to the third. Dive training is going on at one end so I cross to the other and park up. Across the road two other birders are looking down on a flock of Phalaropes. I join them to see twenty odd birds feeding in their distinctive fashion. They move around at such a rate of knots that I have a real problem getting the auto camera to catch a steady picture, it is all very entertaining though. So we have another five off to the left feeding in a bladder wrack lined pool and twenty two in a flock about twenty feet across. Beyond this Gannets are sporadically diving. Every so often one will come over to low or dive to close then the flock takes off and with a circle or two lands back in the area they are feeding. The gannets are taking fish and some one suggests that they are small herring. It is a laugh trying to get a shot of a Gannet entering the water. All photoed out I head back to the second barrier for a look. About half way down the flock were sitting just off the blocks. Walking down the far side until I was close I crossed the road to refind the flock. Fortunately they were fairly close. I crossed the Armco and on to the blocks moving slowly down the blocks I approach as much in cover as I can. Sitting comfortably and quietly in the blocks the birds ignore my presence as the flock moves to and fro feeding and always active. It’s a fantastic thing to be able to get that close to feeding birds with out being in a boat. I like birding when you don’t need binoculars!. On the way out I stopped in the village and spoke to Dave a Holm birder who was telling me that there were as many as eighty birds about Orkney at the moment.

Who said its an ill wind that blows no one no good….It rocks out there!!

GREY PHALAROPES

Kestrel on the stones

Not much doing

The continuing S/W winds have brought a rake of Gray Phalaropes to North Ron a couple of days ago have started to drop them around the mainland with one reported over on Lamb Holm beside the pier. There must be more around in sheltered spots. I wonder if we will see wee auks appearing.

None of these were for me this afternoon. Having no waterproofs that don’t leak and heavy passing showers all day I thought I would stay close so i shot down to Brodgar for a look. I had the stones to my self to day which was nice but the view from the salty was pretty exposed to a buffeting S/W wind. Stenness Loch was a wind lashed mess with little to be seen. The pools were brimming full of water with no waders to be seen. A few distant widgeon and tufted duck were on the water but little else. I had a Kestrel in the stones tho and it put on a nice show. Back to the Stenness stones and there is a male and female Scaup with two separate groups of Tufted duck just before the brig with a Slavonian Grebe close in as well. I stop at the old bird carver’s cottage and watch the ducks taking advantage of the lee of the shore. After this I nip in to Barnhouse hide. The loch is getting whipped up by the ever freshening winds. Small groups of Tufted are toughing it out and in distant sheltered spots are a few Widgeon. There is little to be seen and bugger all else comes along to speak of. After amusing my self taking swan photos I shoot off. A dozen small birds pass over at the road and head along the Stenness loch side, Linnets I think. Crap but at least the wind is mild. I dump the clutch and go….

Latest arivals.

We had the first Fieldfares of winter in the garden this afternoon.

COMING SOON.

At long last The Orkney Book of birds is here. Tim Deans new work illustrated by wildlife artist Tracy Hall looks like its going to be worth the long wait. It is going to be released on saturday the eighth of next month.
I cant wait!!

HOME MADE FAT FEEDERS.

I have just posted this on the Orkney forum but thought i would put it up here as well...

Here is a simple recipe for fat feeders that can be made at home. The advantage of these is the size compared to stuff you can buy. In the winter months a 2 or 3 ltr feeder will save you the hassle of refilling a fat ball feeder every couple of days. Add to this that they are more nutritious and a bit cheaper you and your birds should be well ahead.

Step one.

Gather all the gubbins that your going to need first.

Beef dripping

Peanuts

Wild bird seed

Big pan

Wooden spoon

2 Cups

Moulds

Hanging sticks

Beef dripping. Proper beef dripping from your local butcher is the best choice. It is good and hard when set and makes for a durable feeder. I think it’s the only choice for this size of project.

Peanuts. These are used in equal weights with the amount of dripping and seed you use. But I might chuck in an extra cup of peanuts.

The bird seed. Try to avoid the really cheap seed mixes. If the seed you look at has lots of big seed like barley and wheat give it a swerve. Seed like this is not much use for attracting anything other than Pigeons and Collared Doves and Corvids. Look for a nice fine grain mix. This will prove the most attractive to the small birds we need to help in the cold weather.

Two cups. One to scoop the seed and nuts and one to scoop the warm dripping……using one cup makes loads of mess!!

Hanging sticks. The ones in the photo I made for the job but it is easy to make one from a small bit of branch from the garden. As long as you leave a few sticky out bits on it so the feeder weight is supported as the birds devour the block.

Moulds. These are made from Various stuff as you can see, a cooking oil bottle ,a drinks bottle and a couple of milk cartons.

Cover for your work surface. As you will be pouring warm dripping and seeds it will make a mess. Beware!

Step two

Put your peanuts in the blender and give them a whiz up. If you aint got a blender then bash them up in a bowl a cup at a time till they quite small. Put them aside with the bird seed ready to go.

Now comes the fat melting. I shouldn’t need to say this but I will. TAKE EXTREME CARE WHILST MELTING AND POURING THE FAT.

It is very easy to get burned. Please keep the kids away from this stage until you are ready to pour.

Cut the dripping in to lumps and melt slowly over a low heat. Keep stirring and as the last bits melt you should be about ready. Check the heat of the fat carefully remember you are not making chips!! The moulds are all capable of holding warm fat but hot fat will quickly melt them. If in any doubt then let the pan rest.

OK With everything ready pour one cup of dripping in the mould then one cup of seeds and one of nuts, stick in the hanging stick and puddle it up and down to make sure every thing is evenly mixed. Repeat this until the mould is full.

Try to get your seed n nut mix well saturated and add more mix if it has a clear layer of dripping on top. I try to get as much mix in to the fat as I can. Give the mix a quick twist with the hanging stick or a poke and prod with the back of a wooden spoon.

Work quickly with each mould as the warm dripping will get stiff quickly after it reaches a certain temperature.

Make as many as you can with the mix you have

Step three

Leave overnight to properly set then carefully cut away the moulds and discard. Hang one up an put the others in a cool place or the freezer until they are needed.

There you go nice easy to make and highly nutritious the only down side is who is going to do the washing up!!

It will soon be time for the RSPBs feed the birds day{sat oct 25th} where you will find all sorts of interesting feeding tips and information. This is a national event so where ever you are look to your local press for details and come along. We might even help you join up!!

Enjoy your birds.

TWELVE HOURS BEFORE FULL

Taken tonight at 21.00.

Moon tonight at 22.10

Hand held Nikon 5600 thru Opticron ES80 .

Out and about

A quick spin into town today produced the first Long Tailed ducks of the autumn on the peedie sea. There were good numbers of Tufted there and not a few Mallard. Leaving town in the fields opposite the mart I noticed a big circular flock of Golden Plover feeding on the ground. These would be the first good flock I have seen in Hatstown this year so I turn and go back for a look. Typically as I approach they are all taking to the air and heading over the back of the mart. Diving in the car park I pull up to try and count, there are now three flocks of about 200-300 along with a few lapwing and Curlew that have also been spooked. Some drop between the mart and shore the others head to Orkney meat….I head off.

I have a quick stop at Quanterness. The fields between the road and the shore are starting to host flocks of Greylag so it’s a quick scan to look for collars and off again. There are plenty of Lapwing and Curlew flocks between there and Finstown. Last stop was a pull in at Stenness kirk. Coasting down the hill for the last bit gives a silent approach hidden behind the graveyard wall. Looking over the wall there are about a million Common Gulls. With the crash helmet still on and the bins to my eyes I slowly look over the wall. The south end of Harray Loch is in sight but all I can do is hold my breath The gulls don’t all rise at once but the nearest ones rise uneasily. Scanning across the loch the water is choppy with small rafts of Tufted and Mallard. Gulls bathe around the islands. The rough ground beyond is well filled with Curlew at roost. On the shore and in the field edge Lapwings are standing around doing little as well. I could see Golden Plover rising and landing down here earlier from the house but two hours later they are nowhere to be seen. I see the first Slavoninn Greeb I have seen on the loch this autum. Happy with that I move away to cover and then slowly leave. Looking back from the last rise on the road every thing is still quietly at roost…….job done

Whats on

I have just been listening to a very intresting radio program on migration. There were exelent contributions from Martinmeer discribing the Pinkfeet influx. There was also intresting info on the migration of Swallows down through Africa. Contributers included Simon King and Birds Britanica writer Richard Mabey.

Find it here on listen again.

Look down the page and click on World on the move with Philipa Forrester and Brent Westwood.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

Cold day

Brig of Waith

A quick spin out some where to day just could not be avoided. It seems like days we have been stuck indoors,traped by endless rain and a north wind. I managed a spin down to the Brig of Waith for the quickest of spys. The tide was on the fall and looked high but not bad. Over on the Stenness loch side the skerry was occupied by forty Curlew and about the same in Lapwing. A few Turnstone dotted along one edge of the Lapwings dozed quietly.. Little else was to be seen out on the loch a couple of Dunters and a couple of seals skulked about. The shore in the distance below the Howe road junction fairly buzzed with small birds. Scoping them up it looked like a large flock of Mipits feeding.

Returning to the seaward side the farthest shore is dotted with Common Gull and Curlew. Little else is to be seen amongst them, a few Redshank and one Black tailed godwit. Over the rough near ground my progress disturbs a flock of feeding Twite. They take to the air in a noisy flight thirty strong. Swirling around me they land no farther than the spot they took off from. As I pass them they seem oblivious to my presence. Crossing the stubble field that will give a view over to the dead sands meadow pipits take off from around my feet. There’s a bit of commotion as a hundred yards from me Starlings and Rooks take to the air, sure enough the culprit is clear. A ring tailed Harrier passes over the field before heading out over the water and over the dead sands before me. Flocks of waders take to the air before it dispersing in panicked flocks to the distant fields and safety. Some circle and land back on the muddy sand but not for long as the big raptor starts to quarter the further fields and fence line.

Approaching the field edge there are twenty or more Mallard and a few Teal that are now spooked out of there sheltered hiding spot concealed directly below me. Three red breasted Mergansers also push out from the side. Looking at all three its impossible to tell which is which with the sexes. The males take on female plumage at this time of year…it must be enough to give a young saw tooth a complex. Across the water Curlews predominate with a few Dunlin dotted about. The only other bird of note is a Black Tailed Godwit. Struggling with the sun in the face I head back to the bike where once again I am treated to a fine display from the flock of Twite. It is fresh and bright with threatening clouds. The wind has sung around to the South East and is carrying a milder air flow. The sky above is now full of the cries of Greylag geese. This last while has seen quite a passage of Pink feet moving over at altitude but Greylag arrivals have been boosted by the N/W winds of the last couple of days. What we need now is a strong constant weather system to blow from the N/E…..we can but hope

GARDEN

Goldcrests put in an appearence in the garden today for the first time...hooray!!

Redwings are still around.
A Merlin made a kill in front of me yesterday snatching a wee bird out of the dockens in the padock.
Pinkfeet passage continues.

The weather looks bright and clear before the storm.

I might try and get a couple of hours birding in this morning.

STARS

NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS

Last night we were lucky enough to witness fine if short display of noctilucent clouds. I went out about 22.40 and the sky was glowing with clouds. I thought it was an aurora at first glance but it was soon obvious this wasn’t to be {aurora watch is very quiet at the moment as well} There’s no moon to speak of as well. I watched the display for five or tem minutes, dragging all and sundry into the garden. The responses varied from ooo cool to its cold,im missing the end of my program. And that all time classic’ will someone put that bloody outside light back on……Ahh….with every one successfully under whelmed by the wonders of nature. I nipped in to post the sighting on the web and came back out in time to see them quickly disappear….It was a fantastic display tho.

Noctilucent clouds are the highest of all clouds. They can be as much as eighty miles up!. The general thought as I understand it is that these clouds of ice crystals that form around particulate matter possibly left by the rocket trails from space launches. As the sun drops further and further below the horizon its oblique rays illuminate the clouds from below giving the spectral glow. What ever the cause the phenomenon is the sightings are becoming more regular. Last night was the third time I have been lucky enough to see them this year.

The grainy photo is from last time I saw them and the blue sky one was from last year.

First Sightings

Yesterday i saw my first Redwings of the winter.
Flushed out of the vally scrub by Ruby and her dog on their regular walk. A dozen birds rose and settled again in Happy vallefirsty.

OUT AND ABOUT

I took a spin out today. Heading out past Brodgar first there was little to be seen along the shore. The fields held a few Mipits milling about. A spin to Voy revealed more at the far end of Stenness loch. In the lee of the skerries Newly arrived Widgeon sheltered from the breeze. The scope revealed a good spread of the usual suspects. Rolling past Voy its self put up the usual Sparrows and Greenfinches. The bay beyond was teeming with Greylag Mallard and Widgeon, Along the rocks roosting Lapwings and Curlews stood immobile. My attention was drawn by a flock of wee birds circling over the old mill. As I moved towards the junction they moved to the roof of the house on the corner. Dead right…I hopped off the bike and snapped a couple of shots through the scope.

Flocks of Twite are all over the west mainland at the moment I saw four flocks of twenty to thirty+ in the course of 90mins today. Heading off I spin on to Rango for more Twite… Rango holds loads of BH gulls a few common waders and little else but as I was about to leave I spy a nice Ruff feeding quite close to me. This perks me up no end as it is another bird for my county photo year list…check it out at this link( if links work in the blog….hehe)

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=105215

Heading back home I take a stop at the loons hide. Theres not much to see but a Moorhen is being quite entertaining whilst preening so I snap a few shots and some film as it starts to resume feeding. There are also two common Scoters feeding away. I manage to get some film of one feeding then a couple of stills. Unfortunately a couple more birders enter the hide so that’s the end to the didgiscoping as the hides a bit bouncy with folk in. A quick spy along the Loch of Banks produces a few Redshank and little else so it’s the coop and home for me. A nice cup of coffee and a look at some fuzzy pics. It’s a reasonable day when I can get another snap on the year list.

STROMNESS WAGTAILS

At about six last night (sun) we were at the Strombo coop for a few bits and while we were there we nipped across the road for petrol and lucky we did while I was sat there my attention was taken by a cat walking through five Pied wagtails. The cat was walking nonchalantly through the throng ignoring the birds all around him. I am sure he new there was no way that he could pounce on any of them in the flat car park. As I looked I could see more over the road in the lorry park. This was enough to get me out the car for a look. Sure enough Pied wagtails were gathering in preparation for there evening roost. They were along the shore and across the car park. There were upwards of twenty five milling about. I had a look for whites but saw none. Quickly I was back to the car and off. Next we stopped on the Garson side and I had a look across the school playing fields here I managed to see thirty seven birds with out the aid of binoculars. It’s a very pleasing sight. If your in the vicinity before sundown have a look and a count up!

CRETZSHMARS BUNTING.

The extreamly rare Cretzshcmars Bunting has been reported today on North Ron.

HOY

WINTER COMES..I CANT WAIT....well i can actualy!!

FUZZY PEREGRINE HOBISTER

STONECHAT AT HOBISTER

Sabiston Loch

OUT AND ABOUT

A spin out before the forecast rain produced a few common migrants but nothing spectacular. Stopping at the Stenness stones my attention was taken by half a dozen Skylarks feeding and chasing each other along the loch side. There were a good few Mipits in the air as well.

The tide was well up on the Stenness loch so little was to be seen along the sides. Harray had a few Redshank and young Mute Swans but little else. Moving past Brodgar pools they look in a sorry state It is so long since they held water that the vegetation has sprouted a fine green carpet with no mud to be seen.

Pushing on up the bray half a dozen Wheatears cross my path. I take it as a good omen, but then again any time I see a wheatear I take it as a good omen…its one of my favourites!! Small birds are much in evidence along the field edges and in the air. As I am rolling along there’s not much time for anything more than a cursory glance and a quick guess at an id from the giss. Queena is the next stop This is a bird crop on the brow of a hill just before the Brodgar road meets the Sandwick road. There is a small track you can park on. Here a flock of 30 or 40 Linnets flit about and move across the plants feeding. After a few minutes a far larger mixed flock rise behind them in a ball. The flock rises and falls a couple of times before it descends to feed. They seem mostly Twite by the sound of them but I am sure there are a good few Reed bunting in there from the cries on the wind. This is a nice reliable sight for birds in the winter, its unfortunate though in that its topography makes it the birds difficult to get good views of for ID’s.

Of to the junction and turn left its half a mile to the dam of Rango. The first spits of the forecast rain start to fall now. Off to the south and west the sky is growing ever darker it looks like this could be it. A quick scan shoes bugger all to be seen. I ready the scope and start to head off along the path when 200 or so Widgeon take to the air flying from end to end of the loch before settling for a couple of minutes then taking to the air this time heading in the direction of Harray Loch. I move along the path. There is nothing at all to be seen on or along the loch edge, The view point reveals a far expanse of empty mud totally devoid of any avian presence. A ten minute sit dose not improve things one dot so move off. By the time I reach the bike there is more persistence in the rain. I had been going to head to Skail then home via Voy but its sod that now. I get the oil skins on and beat the retreat. Home for coffee.

happy valley this morning

There are still birds in the wood,Willow Warbler, Spot Fly,A good few of common migrants. The best ones were the Goldcrests,there are still a good number kicking about.....entertaining!!

What a day!!!

Its been an absolutely stunning day and there are still loads of pipits moving up the valley here as night starts to fall. Looking through reports of the day it makes amazing reading. I thought I would reproduce Paul Higsons list he put up on orkbird tonight. I hope he don’t mind but I thought it well worth a look as a record of the day. Bear in mind here that he did not even step foot off St Margaret’s Hope.

30+ Redstart

8 Winchat

50+ Wheatear

12 Spot Fly

5 Pied Fly

2 Reed Warbler

30+Chafinch

10+ Song Thrush

6 Chiffchaff

2 Tree Pipit

30+ Willow Warbler

2 White Throat

1 Sedgie

Aint that the kind of list that you dream of!!!!....Outstanding Paul.

Other birds of note reported were Wryneck,Marsh Harrier,Honey Buzzard and the White Billed Diver was photographed hanging out with a Red Necked Greeb ……What a day…More the morn please!!

MISTY MORNING MIGRANTS

It was a superb morning for seeing migrants. Thick mist, flat calm…just dead right …unfortunately it was perfect for the midges as well. A search around the house here produced two song thrush a chaffinch and an unidentified warbler. Moving to the neighbours mature trees soon produced the goods with several Goldcrests the first to be seen. Next a Chiffchaff hove in to view stopping for a few seconds in the open before he continued feeding. Several song Thrushes could be heard and one would appear from time to time. The bushes were nicely occupied with birds. A Blackcap was the next up. By now the midges were driving me to distraction. Changing positions was no help so reluctantly I moved off . Crossing the field down to Happy valley proved to be the business. Entering the wood at the eastern end produced the goods right away. The first trees were host to a small flock of Goldcrests. Settling down to watch they were soon in the open moving through the canopy catching insects in their acrobatic fashion. To day seemed to be the perfect day for Wrens. I was only out for an hour and a half but must have seen twenty five Wrens in that time. Quite outstanding for me!! Moving through the woods the high canopy and dense shrubs were a bit of a problem as I carefully pushed forward. I could see wee birds moving ahead of me ushered away by Blackbird and Song thrush alarm calls and my own inelegant stalking. Settling at the edge of Edwins garden for a while did the business as I got a thrilling view a Spotted Fly Catcher as it chased insects from the edge of the house roof. It soon took off over the roof so I wandered over to have a look round the other side . This was a big mistake as I put up stacks of birds that had been avoiding me out of sight. Mostly they headed to the end of the woods where I had entered. Un daunted I moved as quietly as I could to persue them.{not easy on that poxy gravel] Sure enough settling down to watch the trees where I had seen the Goldcrests birds slowly became apparent. Another Chiffchaff several Chaffinch and my first Garden Warbler of the last couple of years pleased me no end. The Goldcrests still continued to feed non stop, Wrens moved endlessly through the lower canopy with little fear of anything Whilst song thrushes and black birds foraged away. In the end it was the midges that won the day and I decided to move on. Heading home via the vally to Russadale. It is alive with Meadow Pipits and the willow shrub looks promising but as i start to scope things out to see whats what the skies start to open. Time to beat the retreat and head across the fields to home. It’s the best day for birds here since the Hen Harrier was teaching its young to hunt in the garden…..i am double chuffed and cant wait to get out there again.

Aboot the hoose

Its been a few days of constant movement over the house here. Small birds have been coming from the Brodgar direction up the valley and over the hills towards the flow. Lots of swallows with an occasional Sand martin along side. Legions of Meadow Pipits Wagtails, bounding Linnets and all manner of unidentified flying things. There were Gold crests in the willow scrub to day but I couldn’t see them in the cover. All this movement into the wind has drawn the raptors to Kestrels are along the upper slopes of the hill behind. A Sparrow hawk has been up and down the burn in the valley. Yesterday we sat and watched a female Peregrine hunting over our paddock and chasing birds out of the thistles and over neighbour’s house. Its all go at the moment!!

Tonight it is raining steadily which is good news. With a bit of luck this will bring a good fall of migrants down to shelter out of the weather and refuel. Better be up at first light the morn!!

A busy lochside

Last night I was out a spin to lochside Harray for an attempt to catch a sunset. It was a perfect sot of night bright and clear with a distinct lack of midges. Arriving at the picnick area the air is alive with bird sound. All around the heather and grass is buzzing with wee birds. Meadow pipits abound the air is full of chattering Swallows yet beyond all that Twite can be heard. There are loads of birds here and I mean loads, strange to think they might all be gone in a few hours or at first light. Considering the pleasant prospect of moving some where warmer for the winter i move off down the board walk and then right over the big mound and down to the shore in the bay. My buldering about here produces the best bird of the night. Rising up in a wee group of birds is a Jack Snipe. He rises up and flies in a flat curve away from me complaining as he go’s. Moving along the shore so I can see out into the loch I see a fella fly fishing. He is a handy thing for me as he will give the sunset some scale. So there I am waiting for the sun to go down casually spying around for waders on the different islands shore lines when a small hatch of flys happened. Its not like they bite but I was soon picking then out my lugs and blowing them off the camera. Fortunately at the point of distraction every thing took to the air at once on the northern side. The flys are forgotten as the spectacle unfolds before me. I cant see waders shore birds, geese from the fields gulls, starlings balling, lapwings and masses of Curlew rise and fall back to earth almost as fast. The more spooked or cautious circle there spots with alarm calls ringing. It looked like an attack run from a Peregrine passing through. With the unseen bird soon gone peace returned. It was an impressive sight to se how many birds are using this one area. Once the sun started going down it was camera time. I did try for some flight shots as Curlews and the like passed over but they were mostly to far for my feeble wee camera. They did look stunning against the darkening sky tho.

With the sun well set and the photos done, the path back has a fantastic gathering of Swallows above it. The birds have been gathering above with the intention of roosting in some of the deep cover here abouts. As I reach the bike there is a definite change in the Swallows calls. I wonder if that is them thinking of coming down for the night….is that how it happens…I wonder..

Wideford burn

Yesterday I took a wander up the Wideford burn path starting at Inganess and going as far as the top of the valley. The weather was to bright and calm to hope for any sort of migrant action. The wee loch held plenty of Moor hen strutting about one or two Redshanks around the edges,Coots with growing young were showing well. A small flight of Linnets landed in the dockans and thistles of Currys yard and started feeding. Just below the waters edge close in to the parking a single whooper swan was lethargically feeding.

The path along side the burn yielded up nearly all of the last of the summer flowers to shine in the last of the summer sun. Ravens and rooks crosed our path and later by the road Jackdaws called whilst Hoodies sat on the dead trees and along the fence before heading off over the airport landing lights.

Over the road and up the valley gave good views of two Wrens as we started up the path. A blackbird was flushed out of the Rowan tree on the first corner. Wee birds moved in the dense cover out of sight.

Over the style and there are Reed buntings moving parallel with our progress. No more than 10m away a lot of the time some times they would jump ahead and wait. I don’t know if they were curious or saw an opportunity to catch spooked insects. The narrow path with willow at shoulder height might be part of it who knows. At the top the bushes were occupied by Stonechats in some strength as well. The return journey brought out Greenfinch Swallows feeding, a few male Wrens, Pied wagtails and Meadow pipits. Over the road and down the burn a bit I heard calling Twite moving along. The shore was now sort of clear of dogs and the burn mouth was the only spot with birds. Freshly arrived Turnstones were bathing in the fresh water A couple of curlews and a couple of Oyster Catchers probed away whilst the waters edge was held a half a dozen Arctic Terns with young. Nothing to spectacular and yet the weather was so spectacular that you don’t mind. There will always be other birds…

WARBETH FOR A LOOK.

After moving book cases for the dear MIL..bless her I rewarded myself with a swift trip out to Warbeth for a spy about. It was the back of six and a nice late summers evening. The tide was low exposing a lot of beach. In the distance the birds running over the sands are all ringed plover the same along the waters edge. A few redshank and Curlew fill out the distant shore. Closer in is more interesting with constant movement of Pied Wagtails. Coming down the track there had been fifteen or more come towards me on the graveyard side these ones were a dozen or more feeding and hanging out before they would go to roost. I wonder if they will fly south tonight or roost and leave the morn. Leave the morn I would think. The grazing behind the shore held lots of Meadow Pipits moving around in small flocks. A quick wander round the point gives a fine view down the shore and over to Graemsay and Hoy. The foreshore seemed to have little moving across it, a couple of herring gulls were still taking food to youngsters on the rocky waters edge. Here and there a Redshank moved about but little else. The lack of action was more than made up for by forty or fifty Gannets diving for food off the end of Graemsay. The birds fished for about a half mile stretch from Oxan up the Hoy sound. Their efforts were accompanied by Black backs and herring gulls. The dark forms of Bonxies could be seen patrolling through the melee looking for their chance.

Moving from the rocky shore and back to the path under the graveyard twitery small birds tumble over the wall into the yard a good few linnets I think but I don’t see them again. Following the track up to the car park for the graveyard three meadow pipits fly across and land on the fence posts and path. Looking through the bins the bird on the stab has the most amazing green flanks and I mean green. I am looking carefully at it in the bins desperately wanting it to be something else but it is just a very green Meadow Pipit. The birds it is with are Mipits and when it flies it is a Mipit…shame. The path produced plenty of birds over head ,various small birds waiting to migrate or resume migration are about. Several groups of Redshank and Groanlag geese. A small flock of Lapwings over the hill side, individual Curlews came from the golf course direction.

Reaching the car park I head up the road a bit to get a look over the wee pool below Brinnigar. This proves the best yet for here are four Heron resting up ,preening away. Getting as steady as I can for the long view the pool holds some Mallard and my first Widgeon of the autumn. In front of one Heron a Moorhen is stomping about on the waters edge. Moving up the road a bit reveals three more Heron. Yet another turns out to be a plastic barrel or some such crap. A group of five Black Tailed Godwit now drop in after a brief half circle. They look stunning in the low sunlight. Unfortunately they land out of sight but its enough for me, I turn for the bike.

Its nice heading back to the bike ,the warm sun is ahead but not to low. The air off the sea is fresh and clean. In the distance the dark hills of Hoy provide a fine back drop to show off the distant vibrant white gannets fishing for their supper. To the other side the pasture field has the constant chatter of small birds. It is a proper taste of migration at work and a delight to walk through. Sadly though it is all to soon over. Arriving back at the bike I have a last sit and scan the beach. I count fifty six Ringed Plover before a dog puts every thing up so that was finally that..Helmet on fire it up and whistle up a quick chorus of Rawhide as I head up the road….I only ever do that if its good or if its grim.

Evening all.

The season moves along

Things are really starting to pick up out there now. Migration is moving along nicely. The south parrish is seeing lots of departing wee birds, the east coast headlands are drawing in tired migrants in small falls…there was a big fall on N Ron the other day. Else where the shore line is seeing increasing numbers of waders. Little stint reported in the south isles by Paul H yesterday. Fresh water sights have been producing lots of interesting sightings amongst Curlew and Black tailed Godwit Ruff and Green Sandpipers have been appearing. On a couple of sights,Milldam.Rango and Skail I think it was there have been reports of wood sandpiper.

The weather seems to be forecast to go round to the east for a bit which is excellent news …let the good times roll

A while ago the subject of bee keeping came up and I mentioned there were bee hives near me. Well today I spied the bee keeper at his hives so I thought I would take a stroll down and see what like. I asked if he minded me taking a few photos and telling me what he was doing. He was happy to explain. He was repairing a hive that had collapsed. The hive was lying on its side with the bees swarming round. He did warn me that the bees were in a bit of a feisty mood. I was feeling brave enough so I headed forward to get a closer photo as he worked with his smoke gun. He was calming them before splitting the hide in to each section. With in seconds I have an angry bee in my face and then another…by the time I have thought bloody hell!! I am feeling them hitting my clothes. I make my excuses and leg it up the field quick. I leave a few behind me but with my hair full of bees giving it pure tambo the world is no more than an angry buzz. Using my shirt I I knock them all off and make it to the house. Unstung and undeterred I get my tourie and midge net. Fleece and work gloves. Tooled up I head straight back. Donning my safety gear I approach again. This time I am quickly surrounded by the bees. They are hitting me and all over me but I can take a few photos with confidence. So far so good. I learn that its harder to separate heather honey. That if you want to keep bees you should have 2 or 3 hives in case of losses. Now our man{sorry I forget his name} looks up at me whilst we are speaking and there is a horrible look on his face. Whilst he is explaining how blue is a really bad colour with bees. The first one gets me on a finger through a hole in the gloves. Yea they will do that, get through the smallest holes he says I realize that they are inside the midge net that is not quite as tucked in as I thought. Trying not to panic and having a look at the situation. I am two hundred yards from home and now covered in bees - hundreds of them. All round the back of my neck is crawling with them and they are filling the face net....mmmm....LEGGIT!!! So its right mate that was interesting. I will see you again ouch but ouch I gotta go. Legging it up the field was a right laugh!. The world was one mad buzz, every so often another one would sting…luckily enough it was all up hill to the house. Just as I was wondering if I was going to kop anaphylactic shock or maybe just a plain old heart attack or if that damm buzzing in my ears would ever stop I made it in to the yard. Shouting for help I got the hose on and the OH took great delight in hosing me clean of the little varmints. She quickly pulled out all the stings and applied cream Job done. I don’t know what all the fuss was about…hehe

So sitting here in fresh clothes with a necklace of nippy bee stings and fingers buzzing. They got me down the back and up a trouser leg. I ask my self what have I learned about bee keeping and the answer must be not a hell of a lot really. It might be an idea to have some decent gear rather than developing your own through trial and error. A good pair of running shoes rather than steelies for foot wear. I think that I wont be perusing bee keeping as a hobby for the foreseeable future…..hell I don’t even like honey.

Here are some photos the first is the hive on its side. The second is the honey comb exposed. The third is the hive rebuilt with an angry population on the sides……..a fun day was had by all...never see a Bee eater when you need one!!

Weathers in a spin.

Took this picture of a water spoot about three thirty. Its sitting over Lochside,Harray.