Island Records

Stronsay, one of the islands on the eastern side of the Orkney archipelago, recently hosted a Citizen Science Festival. The Orkney Field Club were invited along to an informal discussion on wildlife recording, which was held at The Fishmart, a local cafe. As I have been to Stronsay several times with work this year, I was 'selected' as the designated diner. The meeting lasted a little over an hour, time for a general wildlifey chat, thoughts about what the islanders might want to record, plus sandwiches, cake, tea and coffee. What's not to love?

Due to the ferry timetable, either side of the meeting was free time to nature watch and Stronsay did not disappoint. Several days of easterly winds meant that there was plenty to see in the form of birds migrating south which had been 'diverted' across the North Sea.

But first, the beach...

A pair of Dunlin

A Carder Bee, possibly Moss Carder, on Sea Rocket

A hoverfly of the Genus Eristalis, on Sea Mayweed

A hoverfly, Scaeva pyrastri, on Sea Rocket

Painted Lady

Leaving the beach and dunes of Rothiesholm Bay, we drove across to the east coast, where the majority of the migrating birds were hungrily feeding after their sea voyage. Pied Flycatchers, Common Redstarts, Wheatears and Willow Warblers were encountered, with one of the Redstarts having to be rescued from the middle of the road, presumably having been struck by a car. I can report that after recovery to a stone wall, it flew off once it had regained its composure.

Pied Flycatcher

Willow Warbler

The bell was silent

Common Redstart

Back at the beach, with not another soul in sight, we enjoyed the sunshine and turquoise waters of the bay. This moth was being blown along by the breeze. Despite the fluttering nature of its progress, I managed a photo and I think it might be an Antler Moth.

Back at the car park, we were just about to put away our binoculars and cameras, when another bird appeared on a fence in the distance. I only managed a record shot before it vanished, but it was a Whinchat, the first I had seen in many a year.

As the ferry sailed through Papa Sound on our return journey, I was puzzled by the rock which this gull was perched upon. Eventually it dawned on me that it was a dead whale, washed inshore by the tidal currents.

I wish the residents of Stronsay well with their recording projects, as there are so many possibilities for producing excellent data, as well as having a wondrous time in the process. My thanks to the folks at the Stronsay Development Trust, the Northern Isles Landscape Partnership Scheme and The Fishmart Cafe.