Jun 15, 2009
Jun 10, 2009
Hen Harrier cam about to go live.
Good news on the RSPB’s Hen harrier nest cam. Latest reports have the chicks hatched and the camera getting sorted. With a bit of luck there should be live pictures streamed to the screens in the visitors centre at the bus station on Thursday. It should be well worth a look!! Last year was a fascinating insight in to day to day life on the nest. I for one am looking forwards to loads more interesting action.
Most of last week was spent with groups from Kirkwall grammar school walking the tops or off road cross country. The RSPB walk was Hobbister and we had a dozen or so for the tour round. It had been a slow round with the full range of species’ but a low showing with the numbers. However the resident Peregrines were about to save the day. As we were looking at one adult on the cliffs Allan suddenly spied this years nest with youngsters in it. The white splash making the nest suddenly visible to all. Two birds were visible and the whole crew were delighted. Of course I could not leave it there and over the course of the last six days I have been over watching. The chicks have come on in leaps and bounds, literally at times. There has been no shortage off food and the smaller one has been getting more than its fair share. There has been food passes and feeding. The parents have seen of all comers over the week whilst the bigger birds have been exploring their surroundings. Its amazing to see the development over only a week but I suppose as they fledge in thirty days or so it has to be rapid. There’s about a week or less and they will be in the air. It’s been a great week, bright interested kids mixed with good birding and only a little rain…..
Jun 5, 2009
Plant puzzler
I found this whilst out with a group the other day. It has a Thrift like bloom with a hairy stem and leafs like buttercups. Its not im my Scottish Collins and its not a local flower...anyone got any ideas or sugestions as i am pretty crap at plant ID..
Jun 2, 2009
Orcas
Orcas have been seen tonight in the Pentland Firth heading west. Whilst i was reading this report on orkbird i saw that Kas had put up an address for her mates web sight. Although they are over the water in Caithness i think it is extreamly relevant to us over here. It has lots of good advice and information for all us budding whale watchers. Have a look its interesting stuff( i hope the link works}
/http://www.caithness-sea-watching.co.uk
/http://www.caithness-sea-watching.co.uk
May 31, 2009
RSPB Copinsay trip
After the stormy sort of day it was yesterday had caused the RSPB members group trip to Copinsay to be cancelled. It was to my good fortune to find an email offering four places on the rescheduled trip for Sunday. A quick phone call and I was booked in for Sunday morning’s bash. The forecast for improving weather proved to be the first one that had been right for days. The ride to Deerness was warm and pleasant, the north sea soon stretched before me looking smooth blue and inviting. It was a bit bright for my old camera as I intended to spend my time didgiscoping. I didn’t really mind as it was a stunning day I could live with a little over exposure. Parking up the group are all heading down for the boat but I have to loose a few layers before I can run and catch up. Soon enough we are off for the thirty minute trip to the island. We introduce our selves all round and are soon pointing out birds dotted all around us as we go. The first puffin draws the aww’s from the Puffin fans as it passes us with its some what inelegant flight. To The right or should that really be starboard, the cave pocked cliffs off Deerness are slowly left behind and we cross the open water to Copinsay. As there are two boat loads going across today we are to land at a rocky ledge on Corn Holm there being no depth of water at the light house pier. We have fine views of the superb cave on Black Holm as Sidney Deftly manoeuvres the boat in along side to where we can step ashore on to the grippy barnacle covered rock ledge.
Copinsay is really an archipelago of four small islands. Copinsay its self and Corn Holm, Black Holm and Ward Holm all linked by storm beach or at low water. They are all owned by the RSPB, any agriculture that’s taking place is part of the management plan for birds. The other folks here are the lighthouse board. They coincidently enough are here in force today as well with there premier ship Pharos off shore and their helicopter moving loads back and fore to the lighthouse. Corn Holm is heaving with life. The whole island is a Greater Blacked Gull colony. With in this is are surprisingly several Greylag geese nesting away. It seems a strange choice but there must be some security for them in this dubious company. We circuit along the shallow cliff top, this provides great views of Puffins, Tysties, Razorbills Shags and Guillemots all close in. As you can imagine we were dive bombed from time to time as we moved through. It was all understandable as the hottest day of the year was encouraging the Blackbacks first eggs to start hatching and it was all kicking off. The periphery was home to far more Fulmars than you see on the mainland and all the birds on this deserted island were a lot more tolerant of folks than their counterparts only five miles away. We take to the shell sand beach on the last leg to have a look at an impressive spread of Oysterplant. This is one of the rarest of maritime plants and Orkney can be proud to be one of the most important places for it in the UK. A nice find as we left was a small colony of Arctic Terns that were just starting up and took to the air to warn us off. Allan had a look whilst we had a count, We got about120- 150 and he found they were laying. It was something encouraging to think about as we picked our way across 400m of seaweed covered boulders that forms the causeway that’s only exposed at low tide.
Every one finally makes it across and we time it fine to meet the second boat load arriving. This time they can just make it in to the pier so we are all together in one group. Those of us who want to do our own thing set off and the others set off in a group to circum navigate the island. I head up to the north side past the Common gull colony and on to the rising cliff looking over north ebb. Tysties and Scarfies abound with rafts of Scarfies taking to the water as I crest the horizon and startle them in to life. The track rises and the view increases, Puffins and Guillemots dot the water whilst the occasional gull takes a dive at head height as you pass through their territory. I am taking photos as I go along but the whites are proving to be a problem in the bright sunlight. The views are crisp and bright through the scope though and in flat calm conditions you really couldn’t ask for better viewing. All the way up I was hoping for Puffins to be ashore. You can find them along here and the younger non breeding birds tend to hang out with little to do but pose for photographs. It wasn’t going to happen today though. It must still be quite quiet under ground. I saw little coming and going from the cliffs mostly the Puffins were sitting on the water loafing about doing little. There was a Herring Gull colony at North view and it seems to be a regular feature. Other birds on the north side were 6 Twite in 4 and 2. 2 Snipe chipping away.
Heading up the east cliff rise the path rises spectacularly as it follows the up thrust of an ancient fault line. The high cliffs we are ascending have been pushed up here from the sea bed. The sea below covers a deep chasm making their real size of the cliff yet bigger. On the highest point looking towards the lighthouse I settle down to have my lunch…in a t shirt..unreal. From my vantage point I can see that although occupied the cliffs don’t look over populated with auks and Kittiwakes. Bonxies make low passes from time to time. These are nesting in the fields below. A superb light phase Arctic Skua passes feet from me a few times as I sit and eat. I hear another Snipe chipping away and I catch a bird going to a nest maybe seventy yards from a nesting Bonxie. My first Painted Lady butterfly passed over my feet as I was sitting there as well. It was to be the first of several and probably a fall of migrating butterflies as they head north…migration’s an amazing thing.
With the helicopter done and away. I move off down the slope and find the main group setting out after lunch, we have a quick catch up before I move off. I am quite glad I am heading down hill after having eaten my piece!! I still have some time before the boat and I take my time from South Nevi to the wee fresh water lochan. On the lochan is a brand new family of Shell Duck with 14 chicks. Now this is the real aww factor of the trip. I take shot after shot but can’t get a steady sharp photo. All the while the drake bird is watching over me. As I start to move along the shore he takes to the water giving his distinctive warning whistling alarm call. Finally I arrive back to the pier where I enjoy the antics of the Arctic Terns as they harass the local Blackback population. Relaxed in the afternoon sun its all too soon to be onboard the boat and off. With in minutes Copinsay is disappearing in the distance and we are strangely bird less on an expanse of oily smooth water, even throwing sandwiches over the side fails to bring a scavenging gull. Never mind its been a hot old day stacked out with hot bird action and its been all the better for coming out of the blue. I hope my bright red nose and forearms fade before the memories.!!
Top day.
Copinsay is really an archipelago of four small islands. Copinsay its self and Corn Holm, Black Holm and Ward Holm all linked by storm beach or at low water. They are all owned by the RSPB, any agriculture that’s taking place is part of the management plan for birds. The other folks here are the lighthouse board. They coincidently enough are here in force today as well with there premier ship Pharos off shore and their helicopter moving loads back and fore to the lighthouse. Corn Holm is heaving with life. The whole island is a Greater Blacked Gull colony. With in this is are surprisingly several Greylag geese nesting away. It seems a strange choice but there must be some security for them in this dubious company. We circuit along the shallow cliff top, this provides great views of Puffins, Tysties, Razorbills Shags and Guillemots all close in. As you can imagine we were dive bombed from time to time as we moved through. It was all understandable as the hottest day of the year was encouraging the Blackbacks first eggs to start hatching and it was all kicking off. The periphery was home to far more Fulmars than you see on the mainland and all the birds on this deserted island were a lot more tolerant of folks than their counterparts only five miles away. We take to the shell sand beach on the last leg to have a look at an impressive spread of Oysterplant. This is one of the rarest of maritime plants and Orkney can be proud to be one of the most important places for it in the UK. A nice find as we left was a small colony of Arctic Terns that were just starting up and took to the air to warn us off. Allan had a look whilst we had a count, We got about120- 150 and he found they were laying. It was something encouraging to think about as we picked our way across 400m of seaweed covered boulders that forms the causeway that’s only exposed at low tide.
Every one finally makes it across and we time it fine to meet the second boat load arriving. This time they can just make it in to the pier so we are all together in one group. Those of us who want to do our own thing set off and the others set off in a group to circum navigate the island. I head up to the north side past the Common gull colony and on to the rising cliff looking over north ebb. Tysties and Scarfies abound with rafts of Scarfies taking to the water as I crest the horizon and startle them in to life. The track rises and the view increases, Puffins and Guillemots dot the water whilst the occasional gull takes a dive at head height as you pass through their territory. I am taking photos as I go along but the whites are proving to be a problem in the bright sunlight. The views are crisp and bright through the scope though and in flat calm conditions you really couldn’t ask for better viewing. All the way up I was hoping for Puffins to be ashore. You can find them along here and the younger non breeding birds tend to hang out with little to do but pose for photographs. It wasn’t going to happen today though. It must still be quite quiet under ground. I saw little coming and going from the cliffs mostly the Puffins were sitting on the water loafing about doing little. There was a Herring Gull colony at North view and it seems to be a regular feature. Other birds on the north side were 6 Twite in 4 and 2. 2 Snipe chipping away.
Heading up the east cliff rise the path rises spectacularly as it follows the up thrust of an ancient fault line. The high cliffs we are ascending have been pushed up here from the sea bed. The sea below covers a deep chasm making their real size of the cliff yet bigger. On the highest point looking towards the lighthouse I settle down to have my lunch…in a t shirt..unreal. From my vantage point I can see that although occupied the cliffs don’t look over populated with auks and Kittiwakes. Bonxies make low passes from time to time. These are nesting in the fields below. A superb light phase Arctic Skua passes feet from me a few times as I sit and eat. I hear another Snipe chipping away and I catch a bird going to a nest maybe seventy yards from a nesting Bonxie. My first Painted Lady butterfly passed over my feet as I was sitting there as well. It was to be the first of several and probably a fall of migrating butterflies as they head north…migration’s an amazing thing.
With the helicopter done and away. I move off down the slope and find the main group setting out after lunch, we have a quick catch up before I move off. I am quite glad I am heading down hill after having eaten my piece!! I still have some time before the boat and I take my time from South Nevi to the wee fresh water lochan. On the lochan is a brand new family of Shell Duck with 14 chicks. Now this is the real aww factor of the trip. I take shot after shot but can’t get a steady sharp photo. All the while the drake bird is watching over me. As I start to move along the shore he takes to the water giving his distinctive warning whistling alarm call. Finally I arrive back to the pier where I enjoy the antics of the Arctic Terns as they harass the local Blackback population. Relaxed in the afternoon sun its all too soon to be onboard the boat and off. With in minutes Copinsay is disappearing in the distance and we are strangely bird less on an expanse of oily smooth water, even throwing sandwiches over the side fails to bring a scavenging gull. Never mind its been a hot old day stacked out with hot bird action and its been all the better for coming out of the blue. I hope my bright red nose and forearms fade before the memories.!!
Top day.
May 28, 2009
May 27, 2009
Black Tailed Godwit
After assisting on the RSPB walk around Marwick head this morning a spin out to the Loons hide produced a displaying Black tailed godwit.
May 26, 2009
Flower season blooms
Looks like the orchid season is upon us. I saw my first heath last week and on Sunday I found the first Northern marsh. It was a good day for flowers with my year firsts for cocks n hens, nmo, heath milkwort and butterwort. I found 20 flowering plant spieces on the Russadale track A good afternoon despite the rain. Last week I had speedwell and the first of the vetches down in the south parish. Orkney is about to bloom for the summer…a bit of sun after this rain and its all going to happen.
May 23, 2009
May 22, 2009
Whale sightings
Five orca were reported by Kas on orkbird last night. Spotted from the Caithness shore they were seen around Pentland skerries and probably headed east.
There have been porpoise in the flow with two seen off Hobbister on wed and one off Grimness on wed night. Two more had been seen off Hunda on tusday.
Some time about a week ago a Minke whale was seen in Echna bay.
Good spotting.
There have been porpoise in the flow with two seen off Hobbister on wed and one off Grimness on wed night. Two more had been seen off Hunda on tusday.
Some time about a week ago a Minke whale was seen in Echna bay.
Good spotting.
May 21, 2009
Just sitting around
I spent 45 mins today sitting around the carpark at Rerwick and what a delight it was. As soon as I pulled up and took of my crash helmet the sun warmed air was alive with bird song. Just removing the riding gear the sights sounds and smells of a late spring morning are intoxicating. Life is everywhere, its overwhelming and I am engulfed in the embrace of the fragrant warm air that’s welcomed with the pleasure of meeting a lost friend.
Three or four Skylarks are calling along with a couple of Meadow pipits. The view to the shore takes in rough grazing with some wet ground. Mercifully there are no animals on here at the moment so consequently every thing that can has taken advantage of the space to breed. Across the fields Curlew stalk about probing for food. Lapwings are doing the same with some sitting on nests. Birds are coming and going with beaks full of food for hungry chicks and every few meters seemed to host a Mippits nest. Oystercatchers were sitting on high spots watching over things whilst occasional males would be displaying to oneanother with some head down piping and marching around. A scan along the fence posts shows up proud parents that will be over seeing their young broods with a couple of Redshank and Oystercatchers looking like good diligent sorts of parents. Above Lapwing tumble about calling and Curlew sing their bubbling song as they display their prowess in controlled hovering drifts to the ground. There was a wren singing very close and when it moved of the lack of song let through the sound of a Snipe chipping away. Sure enough I managed to find it on a post looking stunning in the light. It was to be a short view though as it jumped up out of view, pulling back from the scope I see a Sparrow hawk heading along the shoreline with an accompaniment of raucous sounding Swallows that have come out of the area around the WW2 gun emplacements. Within moments of the Sparrowhawk moving away a snipe took to the air above me and began to put on a nice display of drumming. I passed a nice couple of minutes watching him climb, dip and dive. I think this is one of the most beautiful and gently haunting sounds of the birding summer. The second raptor of this brief watch appeared now with a ringtailed Harrier ignoring as best as she could the mobbing received whilst she moved at ground level hunting out another meal. It was a strait pass and she disappeared along the shore line and out of sight.
Even though the fields around me were full of noise and song I could hear the constant calls of Arctic Terns from the shore calling me forward with their remorseless discordant mantra. Following the track to where the shore below becomes just visible I find a Tern sitting on a post. I stand still to se if it’s going to move. It seems steady enough so I put the scope on it and offer up the camera and take a snap, next thing I ken its started calling and another bird appears and passes her a fish…cool as..i make myself comfortable and manage to miss four food passes with the camera before the bird takes to the air. The stranded weed has more of interest with a summer plumed Turnstone showing well. Even though there is a good enough view to the eye the shimmer of heat in the air is making taking pictures in to a bit of a miss today.
Beyond me a stony shore line that is home to a pair of agitated Ringed Plovers leads in a curve towards a bird covered rocky point. This has a seal hauled well out of the water surrounded by a dozen or more Shags all glowing a rich dark green. I am just having a look through them and Its at this point that the Hen Harrier makes its reappearance passing directly over the point. This time all hell is let loose as hundreds of Arctic Terns take to the air and promptly set about the raptor en mass. The poor bird twists and turns heading out over the sea towards Shapinsay as the Terns relentlessly attack it hitting it over and over again. Its quite a display. With the Harrier disappearing in the distance they return to settle down again all be it a little raucously. The Shags have moved off to form up in a couple of rafts just off shore and the rocks are left to the Blackbacks, Eider ducks and constantly flitting Rock Pipits.
I wend my way back. I have barely scraped at the surface during my 45 mins waiting around for my no show walking customers and now I need to get on and do other things, shame realy I was looking forward to doing that walk and getting immersed in another two or three of hours of this before the rains come. Never mind tomorrow is another day.
Three or four Skylarks are calling along with a couple of Meadow pipits. The view to the shore takes in rough grazing with some wet ground. Mercifully there are no animals on here at the moment so consequently every thing that can has taken advantage of the space to breed. Across the fields Curlew stalk about probing for food. Lapwings are doing the same with some sitting on nests. Birds are coming and going with beaks full of food for hungry chicks and every few meters seemed to host a Mippits nest. Oystercatchers were sitting on high spots watching over things whilst occasional males would be displaying to oneanother with some head down piping and marching around. A scan along the fence posts shows up proud parents that will be over seeing their young broods with a couple of Redshank and Oystercatchers looking like good diligent sorts of parents. Above Lapwing tumble about calling and Curlew sing their bubbling song as they display their prowess in controlled hovering drifts to the ground. There was a wren singing very close and when it moved of the lack of song let through the sound of a Snipe chipping away. Sure enough I managed to find it on a post looking stunning in the light. It was to be a short view though as it jumped up out of view, pulling back from the scope I see a Sparrow hawk heading along the shoreline with an accompaniment of raucous sounding Swallows that have come out of the area around the WW2 gun emplacements. Within moments of the Sparrowhawk moving away a snipe took to the air above me and began to put on a nice display of drumming. I passed a nice couple of minutes watching him climb, dip and dive. I think this is one of the most beautiful and gently haunting sounds of the birding summer. The second raptor of this brief watch appeared now with a ringtailed Harrier ignoring as best as she could the mobbing received whilst she moved at ground level hunting out another meal. It was a strait pass and she disappeared along the shore line and out of sight.
Even though the fields around me were full of noise and song I could hear the constant calls of Arctic Terns from the shore calling me forward with their remorseless discordant mantra. Following the track to where the shore below becomes just visible I find a Tern sitting on a post. I stand still to se if it’s going to move. It seems steady enough so I put the scope on it and offer up the camera and take a snap, next thing I ken its started calling and another bird appears and passes her a fish…cool as..i make myself comfortable and manage to miss four food passes with the camera before the bird takes to the air. The stranded weed has more of interest with a summer plumed Turnstone showing well. Even though there is a good enough view to the eye the shimmer of heat in the air is making taking pictures in to a bit of a miss today.
Beyond me a stony shore line that is home to a pair of agitated Ringed Plovers leads in a curve towards a bird covered rocky point. This has a seal hauled well out of the water surrounded by a dozen or more Shags all glowing a rich dark green. I am just having a look through them and Its at this point that the Hen Harrier makes its reappearance passing directly over the point. This time all hell is let loose as hundreds of Arctic Terns take to the air and promptly set about the raptor en mass. The poor bird twists and turns heading out over the sea towards Shapinsay as the Terns relentlessly attack it hitting it over and over again. Its quite a display. With the Harrier disappearing in the distance they return to settle down again all be it a little raucously. The Shags have moved off to form up in a couple of rafts just off shore and the rocks are left to the Blackbacks, Eider ducks and constantly flitting Rock Pipits.
I wend my way back. I have barely scraped at the surface during my 45 mins waiting around for my no show walking customers and now I need to get on and do other things, shame realy I was looking forward to doing that walk and getting immersed in another two or three of hours of this before the rains come. Never mind tomorrow is another day.
May 20, 2009
Its been about the warmest day of the year so far, the weather also produced a thunder storm that passed over the west coast dumping a lot of rain. Watching it come down from a purple sky out west I couldn’t help but think about the couple I had met earlier in the day on the RSPB Walk at Hobbister. They were off to the high cliffs about that time and there’s not a lot of cover up on the top of Marwick head!!!
Hobbister produced a good range of birds for the reserve today with the added bonus of a couple of feeding porpoise. Last night a trip down to Hestily with Tims class produced a couple of spot fly that were about the last of the wet weekends visitors to leave. Over the last two days the flowers have begun to bloom with Lousewort Tormentil and Lesser spotted orchid beginning to make an appearance…Orkneys blooming up!!
Hobbister produced a good range of birds for the reserve today with the added bonus of a couple of feeding porpoise. Last night a trip down to Hestily with Tims class produced a couple of spot fly that were about the last of the wet weekends visitors to leave. Over the last two days the flowers have begun to bloom with Lousewort Tormentil and Lesser spotted orchid beginning to make an appearance…Orkneys blooming up!!
May 18, 2009
Its been a stunning weekend from all accounts but a total pisser for me .As usual things never go as planned and I have been stuck inside, working on Saturday and no transport since so all I can do is read report after report of dotterels, red backed shrikes, osprey, all sorts of fly catchers and the like. With a bit of luck I might get out for a look before dark tonight.
May 15, 2009
Looking good for the weekend. There might just be something nice on the wind for us if we cross all our fingers.
Today:
A mostly dry and bright day with sunshine at times, especially over West Shetland where becoming warm. Orkney may be cloudier at times with perhaps some patchy light rain. Moderate to fresh easterly winds, becoming strong over Orkney. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
Tonight:
Orkney will be cloudy with occasional outbreaks of rain, these becoming more persistent later tonight. Shetland will remain dry. Fresh to strong easterly winds. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
Saturday:
Shetland will be dry with some sunshine for much of the day. Cloud and rain affecting Orkney will reach Shetland later. Strong to gale easterly winds. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
Updated: 0328 on Fri 15 May 2009
Today:
A mostly dry and bright day with sunshine at times, especially over West Shetland where becoming warm. Orkney may be cloudier at times with perhaps some patchy light rain. Moderate to fresh easterly winds, becoming strong over Orkney. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
Tonight:
Orkney will be cloudy with occasional outbreaks of rain, these becoming more persistent later tonight. Shetland will remain dry. Fresh to strong easterly winds. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
Saturday:
Shetland will be dry with some sunshine for much of the day. Cloud and rain affecting Orkney will reach Shetland later. Strong to gale easterly winds. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
Updated: 0328 on Fri 15 May 2009
May 14, 2009
The west winds have brought Laughing gull, Solitary sandpiper, Black duck and Franklins gull to Shetland over the last short while whilst the winds now have turned to the east and are looking good to carry birds to us from the continent over the next few days. There have been 3 Corncrakes reported on Papa Westray so it looks like things are off and running there. North Ron has Redstart, Spot fly, 4 Dotterel and Corncrake. John Holloway on Stronsay reported a Bluethroat yesterday. The missed bird of the week for me has to be the two Dotterel reported by Keith Hague on orkbird last night. Once again I only switched on the computer after dark and found out about then to late..Oh well…Terns are returning in numbers now along with the Bonxies and guillemots. Its all a bit early for the breeding effort but Guillemot eggs that have been snaffled by the Ravens and gulls are starting to appear along the cliff tops. Its all go here!!!
May 10, 2009
May 8, 2009
May 4, 2009
Hobbister today
M henharrier, short eared owl, red grouse mippit, skylark(5) willow warbler, stonechat 3 pair 3 others. Pair kestrels, dunters, Tysties, scarfies, fulmars, Peregrine, ringtail harrier.
May 3, 2009
May 2, 2009
Raptor rapture across the isles.
What a cracker of a week...snowy owl,rough leged buzzard, white tailed sea eagle, two goshawks, marsh harrier, black kite, a continuing sparrow hawk passage, all seen and reported across the isles in the last week.
Not to mention all the owls and harriers displaying at the moment!!
Not to mention all the owls and harriers displaying at the moment!!
May 1, 2009
Apr 30, 2009
The first RSPB walk of the season
I was out today for the first of this season’s guided walks with the RSPB. Last year I went as a volunteer and enjoyed it immensely, so much so that I have volunteered again this year and intend to try and fit one walk a week in to my own guiding schedule. It shouldn’t be too hard as I only intend to be guiding a couple of days a week. Hopefully guiding for a couple of days will not sour me to going birding which is what I think would happen if I was trying to make money out of it as a full time job…anyway watch this space and we will see what happens.
The first walk had a sparse attendance but I don’t think it was overly publicised and the islands like the cliffs seem a little short of visitors at the moment. It makes for a good group when the numbers are small though and if you add to that I am only assisting a warden so its not me that has to do the majority of the spiel its quite a relaxing day for me. Meeting up in the Marwick bay car park we were all greeted with a freshening wind blowing up from the south east. This was at our backs as we spied out the bay before us. We moved down the slope of the shore to gain some respite from the wind and the members of the group got to grips with using the scopes. One of the things I enjoy about helping folks see birds is seeing the enjoyment they get from the scopes extra range. After years of shaky 10x bins to see a steady image at 20x or 30x seldom fails to impress.
The Choin was well exposed but the tide was starting to rise. Before us Green headed Eiders, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Common, Blackheaded, Blackbacked and Herring gull soon fell to the scopes. Linnet, Wheatear, Rock Pipits and Pied wagtails were soon sorted out. In the fields behind us the sound of piping Oystercatchers and displaying Lapwings carried along on the blustery wind. Swallows have been returning strongly over the last week and we had our share today as they hunted insects over the tide line weed. Turnstones were down in the ware feeding. Their moult to summer plumage is almost complete with the gorgeous Rufus plumage showing well. Once this transformation is finished they will be off heading for Iceland Greenland and as far as the Canadian coast for this years breeding effort. Moving off along the bay towards the path for the high cliffs we stop to have a look over the wet ground behind the bay. Here the fields cover is growing well, Corncrakes will be back here imminently so fingers crossed. Here around a pool we get to see the common waders, Shellduck, displaying, Redshank and Lapwing and yet more Wheatear, Linnets and Wagtails. The Wagtails are checked for whites. The strong easterly winds these last couple of weeks seem to have brought quite an influx of European wagtails to British shores and we are getting our share!! A flock of Black Tailed Godwits in summer plumage are a colourful treat as we move off.
Walking along the track to the rise has little in the way of birds but the flora was set on making an appearance with Scurvy Grass and Spring Squill breaking out. We reminisced about playing soldiers with Ribwort Plantain. It was like Orkney conkers where you had to chop off the head turn about….simple days!! From the corner up to Choldertoo the view out to sea shows a couple of rafts of gulls with some gannets fishing around them. Inshore the first of the Bonxies are beginning to patrol the shore. Whilst Razorbills and kittywakes come and go from the face we shelter in the lea of Choldertoo and enjoy fine views of Fulmar and Razorbill sitting meters away on the opposite rock face. All to soon it’s onwards and upwards in the push for the top. The wind is howling as it is pushed up the slope behind us but at least it’s a three quarters tail wind so steadily we get there. Taking refuge in sheltered spots the highest faces of Marwick head are before us. What a difference it makes to get out of the wind. The air around us is alive with Fulmars and wheeling Kittywakes, Bonxies and Blackbacks The cliffs themselves were starkly empty. There were a good contingent of Razorbills and a covering of Kittywakes but barely a single Guillemot anywhere. But this is the way it go’s at this time of year. There have been thousands here a week back and when I was up the other day there was a good smattering but not today. The birds had moved off enmass to feed some where over the horizon and it might be days before they drift back. Its disappointing but its just the way of it. There was plenty of entertainment to be had though, Ravens came and went from their nest and Jackdaws squabbled and displayed. Rock Pipits flitted around. A pair of solitary Puffins roosted below the scree slope bringing a promise of more to come. Of all the gannets we saw there were only two immature birds the rest were adults and most of them seemed to be actively fishing with an occasional Skua showing an interest also bringing a promise of more to come.! The oddest bird we had up top was a single Siskin passing to the south. All to soon though it was time to head off back. The cliffs might have been light on bird numbers but it was nice and active which always makes for good entertainment.
We took the memorial path back to the road and along to the bay. As we were heading into a 65- 70 mph wind it was a wee bit bird less but we had good views across the pools on the way back.
So that was that the first one of the year by. The wind was mean in places but if your going outside here in the wind swept isles then you have to take it as you find it, if you do then you can find it as we did today…Pretty damn good.
The first walk had a sparse attendance but I don’t think it was overly publicised and the islands like the cliffs seem a little short of visitors at the moment. It makes for a good group when the numbers are small though and if you add to that I am only assisting a warden so its not me that has to do the majority of the spiel its quite a relaxing day for me. Meeting up in the Marwick bay car park we were all greeted with a freshening wind blowing up from the south east. This was at our backs as we spied out the bay before us. We moved down the slope of the shore to gain some respite from the wind and the members of the group got to grips with using the scopes. One of the things I enjoy about helping folks see birds is seeing the enjoyment they get from the scopes extra range. After years of shaky 10x bins to see a steady image at 20x or 30x seldom fails to impress.
The Choin was well exposed but the tide was starting to rise. Before us Green headed Eiders, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Common, Blackheaded, Blackbacked and Herring gull soon fell to the scopes. Linnet, Wheatear, Rock Pipits and Pied wagtails were soon sorted out. In the fields behind us the sound of piping Oystercatchers and displaying Lapwings carried along on the blustery wind. Swallows have been returning strongly over the last week and we had our share today as they hunted insects over the tide line weed. Turnstones were down in the ware feeding. Their moult to summer plumage is almost complete with the gorgeous Rufus plumage showing well. Once this transformation is finished they will be off heading for Iceland Greenland and as far as the Canadian coast for this years breeding effort. Moving off along the bay towards the path for the high cliffs we stop to have a look over the wet ground behind the bay. Here the fields cover is growing well, Corncrakes will be back here imminently so fingers crossed. Here around a pool we get to see the common waders, Shellduck, displaying, Redshank and Lapwing and yet more Wheatear, Linnets and Wagtails. The Wagtails are checked for whites. The strong easterly winds these last couple of weeks seem to have brought quite an influx of European wagtails to British shores and we are getting our share!! A flock of Black Tailed Godwits in summer plumage are a colourful treat as we move off.
Walking along the track to the rise has little in the way of birds but the flora was set on making an appearance with Scurvy Grass and Spring Squill breaking out. We reminisced about playing soldiers with Ribwort Plantain. It was like Orkney conkers where you had to chop off the head turn about….simple days!! From the corner up to Choldertoo the view out to sea shows a couple of rafts of gulls with some gannets fishing around them. Inshore the first of the Bonxies are beginning to patrol the shore. Whilst Razorbills and kittywakes come and go from the face we shelter in the lea of Choldertoo and enjoy fine views of Fulmar and Razorbill sitting meters away on the opposite rock face. All to soon it’s onwards and upwards in the push for the top. The wind is howling as it is pushed up the slope behind us but at least it’s a three quarters tail wind so steadily we get there. Taking refuge in sheltered spots the highest faces of Marwick head are before us. What a difference it makes to get out of the wind. The air around us is alive with Fulmars and wheeling Kittywakes, Bonxies and Blackbacks The cliffs themselves were starkly empty. There were a good contingent of Razorbills and a covering of Kittywakes but barely a single Guillemot anywhere. But this is the way it go’s at this time of year. There have been thousands here a week back and when I was up the other day there was a good smattering but not today. The birds had moved off enmass to feed some where over the horizon and it might be days before they drift back. Its disappointing but its just the way of it. There was plenty of entertainment to be had though, Ravens came and went from their nest and Jackdaws squabbled and displayed. Rock Pipits flitted around. A pair of solitary Puffins roosted below the scree slope bringing a promise of more to come. Of all the gannets we saw there were only two immature birds the rest were adults and most of them seemed to be actively fishing with an occasional Skua showing an interest also bringing a promise of more to come.! The oddest bird we had up top was a single Siskin passing to the south. All to soon though it was time to head off back. The cliffs might have been light on bird numbers but it was nice and active which always makes for good entertainment.
We took the memorial path back to the road and along to the bay. As we were heading into a 65- 70 mph wind it was a wee bit bird less but we had good views across the pools on the way back.
So that was that the first one of the year by. The wind was mean in places but if your going outside here in the wind swept isles then you have to take it as you find it, if you do then you can find it as we did today…Pretty damn good.
Apr 29, 2009
Its been a brilliant day to day. I was out to Cottasgarth and had 2 SEO’s fighting 2 m hen harriers fighting. A f harrier sky danced three times in front of me. I found a new harrier nest site. Then on leaving I had a fleeting glance of a possible ringed ouzel. That would be a lifer for me. Tonight I saw my first common tern of the year and the first sandwich terns on the ground. Better still we saw sand martins investigating nest sites. These sweet wee birds are some of our rarest breeding birds in the isles and a treat to watch flying over our heads. When I returned and put on the computer I find from orkbird that the world and his dog had been out to see a snowy owl that had been showing really well (Well located and posted there Kieth H).( There is a rough legged buzzard and a sea eagle out there somewhere as well) I really don’t mind to much that I missed it as I count my blessings. It makes tomorrow an interesting prospect…Life is ok in the isles.
Apr 24, 2009
Kack counting
This was the 400+ Golden Plover i reported on orkbird to night but looking at this it was more like 600...oops
Apr 20, 2009
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.
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.
Apr 19, 2009
Apr 17, 2009
The weather to day was cold and fresh easterly but with high skys and little chance of a fall of migrants. Yet undaunted I made my way to Burwick at the most southerly point of the mainland….ok so I know its actually St Margaret’s hope but so what!! It was freezing ant the journey probably had more to do with the new bike than the slim chance of a passing migrant. Burwick had sweet fa just a good flock of Linnets. A spin to Hestly woods found a bit of a work party going on so I bypassed that and went to the shore at winnick. Hear I found another Wheatear that possibly had just come off the sea. That was to be my lucky bird for the day tho and I saw nothing after it..lol..I had a walk down below the cliffs and took some pictures before heading off home. A crap days birding saved by biking!...god bless motor bikes!
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