Hi Everybody
Not a good start to the year for RSPB Orkney Local Group due to the poor weather; the Harrier Sky Dancing unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the high winds - certainly not 'dancing' weather for these birds.
Let's hope we have more luck with this Saturday's outing to Shapinsay on April 27th. There are still places available but please ring Julie by Wednesday teatime if you wish to book as, once again, the weather will have to be taken into consideration.
The ferry leaves Kirkwall at 9.45 am and departs Shapinsay at 3.15 or 4.45pm. We will see waterfowl in their breeding plumage at the RSPB Mill Dam Reserve, also visit the Ouse and Lairo Water. Please bring a picnic. Cost: Ferry fare plus a share of transport cost of vehicle to the island. Contact Julie Rickards on 01856 861328.
Trip to Auskerry - Saturday 1st June (Sunday 2nd June reserve)
Dick Matson has booked the boat for the outing to Auskerry - a popular destination if previous years are anything to go by. This lovely island hosts a tern colony and other breeding seabirds will be seen also some interesting migrants could be making a stop-over (I remember a red-backed shrike being reported on a previous trip). It's time to book now so Dick can make the arrangements so phone Dick Matson on 01856 751426.
Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th June - Into the Deerness Gloup by boat
Names are now coming in for this excursion into the Gloup and caves of Deerness with their spectacular rock formations. Nesting seabirds - including the kittiwake colony - will be on view and Sydney is certain to steer by puffins and the local seals. Two years ago a basking shark accompanied the boat for part of the journey so you never know what will pop up! Departs from Skaill, Deerness at approx. 10 am/10.30 am. Cost £12 per person. Contact Pauline Wilson on 01856 741382.
Sunday 16th June - Trip to Eday
After viewing the red-throated divers on Mill Loch, walk around the stunning Red Head with the Eday Ranger. Fulmars nest on the cliffs of the Red Head while a variety of seabirds can be seen feeding in the water near the Calf of Eday. Peregrines sometimes nest on the clifs. Thrift, spring squill and sea campion all flourish on the exposed cliffs. Cost: ferry fare plus £7 minibus on Eday also early evening meal if required. Please bring a picnic for earlier. Please note: The walk is 5 miles and includes some rough terrain. The ferry leaves Kirkwall at 9.00 am, arriving Eday at 10.15am. It leaves Eday at 5.50pm, arriving in Kirkwall 7.05 pm. Contact Pauline Wilson on 01856 741382.
Wex Event
Sunday 28th April – Nesting Birds Safari
Come for a walk in a hidden wood and discover which birds are making their homes in the trees. Enquiries phone Jane 841212 or Kate 851835.
Time 2-4 pm. Meet St. Olaf’s Wood, South Ronaldsay.
Helpers are being sought to lend a hand with WEX events (see my last 'LH') - if you are able to help out then please contact either Jane or Kate at the numbers above.
Orkney Mainland Hide Sessions
Visit one of the mainland reserves and watch birds from the hide with RSPB staff who can explain what you are watching and answer questions. The sessions, which take place on most Mondays (whatever the weather), are FREE and you can drop in any time between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. You don't need to book but for more information call the RSPB Orkney Office on 01856 850176.
The Loons Hide
Join us at this wetland reserve which can host a variety of wildfowl and waders. Meet: The Loons Hide off the B-class road betweenTwatt and Marwick (HY247243).
Dates: April 29; May 6, 27; June 10, 24; July 8, 22; August 5, 19.
Burgar Hill Hide
The star of the show here is the breeding red-throated diver but a variety of other wildfowl, waders and an occasional skua or raptor can be expected also.
Meet: Burgar Hill Hide off the A966, north of Evie. Follow the signposts to hide which overlooks Lowrie's Water, Birsay (HY345257).
Dates: May 20; June 3, 17; July 1, 15, 29; August 12, 26
Orkney Mainland Guided Walks
Watch birds and other wildlife on a guided walk with RSPB staff. Bookings must be made beforehand with the RSPB office on 01856 850176. Duration is up to 2 hours and stout footwear and waterproofs are required. RSPB members go free but the cost is £5 for non-members; £2 children 12-18; under 12 free.
Marwick's Seabird City
Come see, hear and smell the seabird spectacle at this magnificent reserve.Time 10 am. Meet Marwick Bay Car Park (HY230242).
Dates (all Wednesdays): May 1, 22; June 12; July 3, 24.
Hobbister Coastal Walk
Come for a walk through this moorland reserve and along the Scapa Flow coastline. Time 9.30 am. Meet Hobbister Car Park off the A964 (HY395069)
Dates (all Wednesdays): April 24; June 5, 26; July 17.
Brodgar
Learn about Orkney's birds and wildlife on a pleasant, easy guided walk on the RSPB reserve surrounding the Ring of Brodgar.
Time 10 am, duration up to 2 hours. Meet Ring of Brodgar Car Park (HY295135).
Dates (all Wednesdays) May 8, 29; June 19; July 10.
Archeology & Birds at Brodgar - two-in-one.
Guided walk around the Ring of Brodgar led jointly by Historic Scotland Rangers and RSPB staff. Learn about the history as well as the birds and wildlife.
Time 10 am. Duration 1 hour. Meet Ring of Brodgar Car Park (HY295135). Free event.
Walks take place on Thursdays from May 2 to July 4.
Wild Hoy Walks
Use your senses to explore the amazing wild landscape of Hoy by joining the RSPB Warden to learn more about the wildlife and history of the reserve. Duration 2-3 hours. Bring packed lunch & binoculars. Meet: Moaness Pier 10.30 am. Cost £5 adults; £2 children aged 12 to 18; children undeer 12 & RSPB members free. N.B. Extra cost for local bus transport of approx. £2. Booking essential: Warden on 01856 791391.
Dates (All Tuesdays) May 7, 21, 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25.
RSPB PapaWestray Guided Walks
Guided walks by the RSPB Warden around the RSPB reserve of North Hill where you can witness life in the seabird city along the cliffs, watch spectacular aerial chases between terns and skuas and enjoy the wild flowers. Booking essential.
Wednesdays & Saturdays from May 8 to August 31.
(There will be a few dates in this period when there is no walk - please check).
Time 1.30 to 3.30 pm. Meet: Rose Cottage. Cost: free. For info and bookings contact the warden Sarah West: 01857 644240. Donations welcome.
Orkney Nature Festival
Another reminder about this nine-day celebration of Orkney's wildlife taking place from 11th until 19th May. To see what events are taking place visit the website at www.orkneynaturefestival.org or call the RSPB office on 01856 850176.
Bag-Packing at the Kirkwall Co-op
Once again I am appealing for volunteers to lend a hand on either Friday 24th or Saturday 25th May when our Local Group will be raising money for vital conservation work here in Orkney. It's quite a fun event - and the customers don't bite I promise!
Last year we raised £514.43 so I hope we will be up to the challenge again this year.
If you are able to spare an hour on either day please email me or phone 01856 741382. Just a month to go so I would welcome offers of an hour or so on either date. Many thanks!
Photos from Ian
I am attaching two pics from Ian (1) at Scapa Pier a Great Northern Diver which clearly thought that Loganair should make less noise when it flies past! (2) a first winter Eider.
Photo of Great Northern Diver by Ian Cunningham
Phofo of First winter Eider by Ian Cunningham
Bag the Bruck
The final photo is of the hardy few who turned up for Bag the Bruck at Waulkmill last Saturday. We had Reserves Manager Andy Knight, Wardens Alan Leitch, Lorna Dow and Katy Norbury, Arun Leitch, yours truly plus a young lady who turned up later in the morning to lend a hand. The photo shows (left to right) Andy, Lorna, Alan, Katy, Arun - and Andy's dog 'Brewster' looking on. It was a big effort but Waulkmill Beach is now spick and span once more.
Dick Matson reports a good turnout at Marwick for the OFC Bag the Bruck.
Bagging the Bruck (l to r): Andy Knight, Lorna Dow, Alan Leitch, Katy Norbury, Arun Leitch - while Andy's dog 'Brewster' looks on!
photo by Pauline Wilson.
Bonny Birds
A lot of super birds have been reported on the Orkbird site - even a magpie in Shapinsay!
Here at Sunnybank we haven't been left out for, in addition to the stunning Hawfinch, we have had our usual flock of Greenfinches, 6 Chaffinches, a female Brambling, a beautiful Goldfinch (which arrived the day after I had consigned the old teasel plants to the rubbish heap) and today two lovely Siskins - one a male which made a colourful contrast against the peanut feeder he was so keen to dominate!
I think that's about it for now. Please send any items for inclusion in my next email and please lose no time in booking for the outings.
Best wishes
Pauline W/RSPB Local Group Sec.