It seems a shame such a lovely place has such a quiet group on here, so I thought I'd add a few pictures :-)
It's a long drive from my native Suffolk to the top end of Scotland, but even the trip on the ferry from Thurso to Stromness gives you an indication of what's to come. We spotted porpoise, Minke whale and numerous seabirds as we braved the so-called sun deck at the back of the boat. The Old Man of Hoy is well known of course
But you mustn't spend all your time watching the scenery, as Fulmars love to show off their skills flying close to the boat
Indeed, Fulmars seem to be everywhere and their obvious skill at zipping along the cliff edges is amazing to watch
If they're not flying, they're watching others - though care needs to be taken not to get carried away. This one must have ended up with a painful neck!
When the sun comes out, even the seemingly mundane can be eye catching on the cliffs
Although of course Puffins are what everyone likes to see
Although this one didn't like the attention from photographers!
Razorbills just give you a funny look, wondering why all those strange beings on the cliff edge appear each day pointing & clicking
Away from the cliff edges, you get different birds rummaging around the water's edge. Lots of these "I think it's a Sanderling" (New species!)
and there are plenty of Ringed Plover too
Little Terns are nesting too - though as always, they sure pick 'em. The beach is popular with local dog walkers so hardly quiet & isolated, and of course they're nesting OUTSIDE the rope the RSPB chaps had carefully put up to protect them from people unversed in the principles of Schedule 1. Hey ho!
Day flying moths are flitting around
Though they have to be careful as Skylarks
Meadow Pipits
and even Wheatears are all over the place
Mostly of course, because they have youngsters to feed - this was Wheatear Junior
Right, time for a cup of tea now - more later!
Very nice pictures WJ.
Cracking photos WJ. Thurso is my home town where I was born and brought up, although moved 10 miles west, 16 years ago. I would have come and waved you onto the ferry, had I known! Orkney is a lovely place, hope you enjoy being there ,look forward to the next selection of photos.
Lynn L said: Cracking photos WJ. Thurso is my home town where I was born and brought up, although moved 10 miles west, 16 years ago. I would have come and waved you onto the ferry, had I known! Orkney is a lovely place, hope you enjoy being there ,look forward to the next selection of photos.
Unknown said: I bet it was a long drive, too!
I bet it was a long drive, too!
Unknown said: Hahaha! A chap I work with lives in Thurso and he never sees any of the team, living so far away from everyone else. So I gave him a bell when we arrived and he came to join us for a drink. Sounds like we could have made it a party!
We certainly could have, that would have been great.
If you wander inland, you come across the wonderfully named The Loons, which has the ultimate in lazy birding hides - right by the roadside so you step straight from car to hide. The fresh water pools give you new species to watch, like Mr
and Mrs Tufted Duck
A Little Grebe was busy fishing, disappearing off into the reeds every time a catch was made, so I assume there were some youngsters somewhere
It's not long however, before a Curlew drops in. Nationally, these birds are in trouble, but up here in Orkney the opposite seems to be true - they're everywhere
There are no shortage of Oystercatchers either - we've nicknamed them Orkney Pigeons, they're so plentiful on the fields
They tend to yell at you a lot when you're out walking, clearly unhappy you have the cheek to walk along a path or road (roads are wonderfully quiet by the way, think Orkney 9am = Suffolk 4am and you're not far wrong (and Suffolk's pretty decent for traffic!)).
These guys shout at you a lot too
Though Fulmars just shout at each other
Those quiet roads do mean you need to keep your eyes peeled - random beetles rove the byways
and Bees enjoy the small flowers on beach-dwelling Oyster plants
Another lovely set WJ, thanks for sharing.
With those, I can imagine there is lots of shouting going on: waders are generally pretty noisy (possibly for having to shout over the surf) but especially if they are still protecting nests or young.
Unknown said:the wonderfully named The Loons
Presumably named after the Divers, so a shame there weren't any of those around.