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Westray wanderings

Another island trip for work, but the two tasks were separated by several hours to fit in with customer schedules. So what does a wildlife watcher do with 4 hours to kill on Westray?

As the early morning ferry sailed by the island of Shapinsay, I was left to ponder the meaning of 'coastal defences'. I don't think this qualifies on either count.


Mind you, the skyscapes at dawn were very nearly worth getting up for. 


Passing the small islands of Faray and Holm of Faray, it was good to see populations of Grey and Harbour Seal. The first of these two photos also contains a Grey Seal pup in all its fluffy whiteness.



When replacing a satellite dish, I invariably (though hopefully, temporarily) make a spider homeless. This day was no exception.


There were still some migrants about and a Water Rail was heard in the reed bed by the Bay of Tuquoy and a flock of eight Pintail was seen flying over the Bay of Skaill. But here's a conveniently-posing Wheatear.


In Pierowall village, gardens were holding warblers aplenty. This is a female Blackcap, foraging in a Fuschia bush in a front garden. The photo was taken from the pavement, I wasn't trespassing.


The bright yellow hue of this fungus didn't come through in the photo, but it seemed very fresh.


And this Blackbird caused an amount of consternation, bearing in mind its chestnut brown head and neck.

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