Hi Everybody
I know it's not long since I wasin touch but things are happening just now so here I am again.
Outing to Shapinsay
It was a small group crossing to Shapinsay on a bright but cool April 27th when we were pleased to welcome Bruce and Cathleen Wheatley, visitors from Alabama, USA who thoroughly enjoyed their day out.
Paul Hollinrake met us off the ferry and some of the group had a great start to the day by spotting a huge dog otter at the pier. It attempted to cross the road from the Lodge and enter the sea, but thought better of it and returned to the safety of the buildings when it saw people gawking at it! Typically, though, Dick Matson and I missed the spectacle!
Paul took us to the East Hill area of Shapinsay to Castle Bloody, a chambered cairn then we came back along the cliffs - a part of the island I had never visited before so it was a nice change. Just off shore were good numbers of razorbills but only a few common guillemots and about 20 puffins. But what really surprised us was the presence of 90+ tysties. Is this a record gathering for Orkney?The Mill Dam was amazingly quiet with no gadwall or pintail, only a few pairs of shoveler and very few waders or gulls to be seen. However Lairo Water had at least 400 long-tailed ducks, 20+ bar-tailed godwits were in the Oyce and there were 2 red- throated diver and 1 black-throated diver out in Veantrow Bay.
Over 50 species were seen during the day plus a nice sighting of a common seal colony aside the shop; they weren't in the least bit worried about a couple eating ice cream just nearby!
A day on Shapinsay: Back Bruce & Cathleen Wheatley from USA; Front (l to r) Dick Matson, Paul Hollinrake, Megan Taylor. Photo by Pauline Wilson
Shapinsay: Common Seals in the bay. Photo by Pauline Wilson
Orkney Nature Festival
I hope a lot of you have perused the exciting programme of events for this exciting week of appreciation of nature in Orkney which runs from Saturday 11th until Sunday 19th May. There are plenty of outings and activities to choose from, be it trips to the isles or mainland walks. There is even a birding trip by horse-drawn carriage! A puffin cruise sounds inviting - I hope to be on this one. An invitation even more intriguing is to the RSPB Office on Friday 17th May to see Something Fishy in the Office. Apparently there's a wealth of treasure to be found so it is worth a look to see how they transform what used to be Eric Meek's office into a sandy beach complete with wilflife! Drop in any time from 11 am until 5 pm. The Festival culminates in Shapinsay on Sunday 19th May where a series of talks, walks and bus trips will be taking place before a buffet-style banquet of fine food by Balfour Castle chef Jean-Baptiste Bady. An feast not to be missed by the 'foodies' among you. For full details of what is going on go to www.orkneynaturefestival.org.
The RSPB will have a table at the St. Magnus Centre on Sunday 12th May for the Wildlife in the Isles event. There are lots of organisations there publicising an array of interesting aspects of Orkney wildlife. It is from 2 until 5 pm so I hope to see some of our local group members paying a visit.
Corncrake time again
Orkney's Corncrake Initiative Officer Amy Liptrot asks our local group members to be alert for the sound of calling corncrakes as they return from their wintering grounds. Amy has the following message for us:
Orkney's first corncrake of the year has been heard today on the RSPB's Mill Dam reserve on Shapinsay!So it's time for me to ask people to let me know if they hear a corncrake. Please call me, Amy, at the RSPB on 852 029 to report any calling birds, and please don't assume that I've already heard about it. Last year we recorded 32 calling male corncrakes around Orkney, with 11 of those on Westray. There has been a slow but steady upward trend in the numbers of corncrake around Orkney over recent years, from an all-time low of six birds in 1993. Once we can establish that a corncrake has been in the same location for a while, we approach landowners to take part in the Corncrake Initiaive - offering payments to delay mowing or grazing and to mow grass in a "corncrake-friendly" pattern. I look forward to hearing your reports over the next weeks.Amy Liptrot, Project Officer - Corncrake Initiative 01856 852 029
You can also email me Amy.Liptrot@rspb.org.uk. Please let me know the location of the corncrake (grid reference) if possible and the time and date you heard the bird.
Photo Competition
Those of you who have read the Orcadian will by now know the results of 'Wild Orkney the Way I See It' - the photo competition which has been running for the past 12 months in conjunction with Orkney Camera Club. More than 150 entries were received and the winners and 'best of the rest' will be on display at the Orkney Nature Festival from May 11th to 19th at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, along with a photo-montage created by the pupils of Class One at North Walls Community School.
There will also be an electronic display of the best of the entries in the entrance to Kirkwall Town Hall and a selection will be displayed at Appie's Tearoom & Gallery, West Mainland and at Roeberry House, St. Margaret's Hope.
Winning photos are published in the Orcadian, but do go along and see the full display during the Nature Festival.
Graham & Kathie Brown have put in hours of work to make the competition a success, assisted by Aileen Meek. Many congratulations on a great outcome.
Book your places!
Dick Matson is organising the trip to Auskerry on June 1st (2nd in reserve) so please contact him asap if you with to go 01856 751426.
I have quite a few names for the trips into the Deerness Gloup & Caves on June 8th & 9th but there are places still available. Cost is £12 for a unique experience. Please ring me on 01856 741382 to book a place. One boat is full on the Saturday but I have started another list and two trips are planned for that day.
For other events please see my last email or the RSPB Orkney 2013 Events leaflet.
Co-op Bag-packing Friday 24th/Saturday 25th May
I have a few volunteers for this but time is getting near now so I hope more people will offer an hour on either date so raise funds for local conservation. Last year we raised £514.43 and, with your help we could do well once more. Please contact me on 01856 741382 or by email p.wilson410@btinternet.com
I hope to hear from some of you soon! Thanks.
That's all for now.
Best wishes, Pauline Wilson, RSPB Orkney Local Group Sec.