Natural highs and lows

Last Tuesday, soaring temperatures south were widely reported on national media. Indeed, even in Orkney, folk were reported to have gone outside without a coat on. I think our forecasted high temperature was 19 degrees C, which is actually quite high for these parts. I was working in Stronsay, but had time to spare whilst waiting for a return ferry, so hit the beaches and clifftops to take in the glorious weather and wildlife. Sand Martin A male Common Blue butterfly Not found by me, a stunning Garden Tiger Moth Ragged Robin One of the Water Crowfoots (Crowsfoot? Crowfeet?) I think this is Amphibious Bistort One of the vetches A Blue-tailed Damselfly, a first official record for the island A Middle-Barred Minor moth nectaring on some Sea Rocket At a quarry pool, Swallows were splooshing onto the surface. I don't think this is drinking behaviour, which is more of a skimming action, but I wondered if they were soaking their breast feathers with water to take moisture back to their ne...

Following Easter's icy embrace and as April progressed, Winter began to ease its grip upon Orkney. At least, temporarily. A fortnight ago, the archipelago hummed to the tune of a legion of lawn mowers, hastily unearthed from dusty corners of sheds and garages. This past week has seen some pleasant sunny days, albeit with a cool breeze at times. For a few days, there was a new visitor to the garden, a male Blackcap. Apples were quickly deployed as an enticement to hang around, but this fella was already in Summer mode and hunting insects through the bare bushes and trees. He was constantly on the move, which made photography difficult, and the salt-encrusted windows didn't help either. This week also saw some volunteer training for the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, an initiative which aims to protect an endemic sub-species of rodent, the Orkney Vole, as well as all our ground-nesting birds (for the avoidance of doubt, that's most of them). Several years ago, I had signed u...