Last Saturday saw the annual trip to Auskerry, organised by the Orkney RSPB Local Members' Group. The weather was perfect and it proved to be a magical day out for the 11 folk who took part with Alan Leitch, RSPB site manager, leading the group. Harvey Groat's boat, the Charlie-Ann took us from Kirkwall in about an hour and 20 minutes.
Auskerry has been inhabited by just one family since 1975. Simon Brogan, who farms North Ronaldsay sheep on the island, met us at the jetty and told us about what we could expect to see by way of birdlife as we explored the island. I should mention that it is around 85 hectares in size, roughly the size of 6 football pitches so we were going to be able to get round it easily. Apart from the Brogan's steading, the only other building on the island is the lighthouse. It was the first to be automated by the Northern Lighthouse Board but Simon has been unable to find out exactly why that was. Whilst Simon was welcoming us I watched a number of tysties (black guillemots) flying round and round the cliffs. Over the course of the day we must have seen at least 60 in flight or on the water. In flight their bright red legs and feet are very obvious.
Even before we set off round the island, the air was filled with the sounds of Arctic terns screeching away and as some of us explored the lighthouse, Alan counted around 50 on the shore nearby. A pair of House Martins and a Wheatear were also seen in the lighthouse area. As we continued at a leisurely pace with the group strung out Alan and I stopped to count a group of geese and goslings out on the water - 18 non-breeders and 5 broods of 4,3,3,2,& 5 goslings. Whilst we were doing this we noticed the rest of the group was completely oblivious to a cheeky puffin which had obviously just stepped outside its burrow. In fact there must have been over 50 puffins seen during the day, almost all on the water or flying onto the cliffs
There was a lone Red-throated diver in the water at Dinna Pow and 10 - yes, 10! - Eider nests in the flag irises by the Loch of Pow. Some of the females flew off briefly at our approach but most hunkered down and sat tight. As you can see from the photo, they were well hidden. From there is was a short stroll to Simon's house where he very kindly made us all tea and coffee - thank you Simon, it was most welcome.
The steading there and the beach outside is obviously ideal for Rock Pipits. Several must have had chicks as the adults were carrying food to and fro. We also spotted a pair of Pied Wagtails as we stood outside, enjoying the sunshine
On round Longrigging and we came across a whole raft of Shag nests in the cliffs - a minimum of 18, possibly more. Some of the shags very obligingly stood aside so we could see the eggs in the nests. You have to say that Shags clearly favour size over neatness when it comes to nests - they are great sprawling constuctions made mainly from tangles (seaweed).
Then finally round to the jetty for the boat home. As I said at the beginning, it was a magical day. The air was filled with the sounds of birds and even though the numbers weren't great, there was plenty of evidence that the breeding season is well and truly underway. Places like Auskerry are so very special and we are extremely grateful to Simon for allowing us to visit. Thanks are also due to Alan for sharing his knowledge of birds and other wildlife and to Dick Matson for organising the trip. It was my first to Auskerry but I shall make sure it is not the last.