sign in sign up
<<
Home , Copinsay, Grey heron, Harray, Herring gull, Mill dam, Orkney vole

ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 26

BIRDS - SEABIRDS NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

more than . The three main cliffs are all RSPB reserves. The RSPB is the biggest land-owner in , with 13 reserves covering about 8,000ha in total. Noup Head in hosts one of the largest colonies of seabirds in the UK, while Marwick Head and the cliffs hold only slightly smaller num- bers of Guillemot, Kittiwake (Tammy Norie) and Razorbill. The cliffs are Fulmar Petrel (Mallimack) Guillemot (Aak, Skout, Lungi) also home to several pairs of "Nowhere in Britain is ded flagstone rocks also Marwick, in and in Maritime Heath is a habitat seabird, nest in Orkney. Peregrine, Raven and there such a range of bird weather to ledges on the . Many unique to Orkney which They are perhaps the most Jackdaw, as well as many habitats - cliffs, marshes, cliffs which are very attrac- Puffins also nest on forms much of the western graceful flyers and exist in Fulmar and Rock Dove. moors and maritime heath - tive to many types of Copinsay, , the side of , and the two patterns or and all within a few miles. seabird. The islands' posi- , the North Hill of Papay, is a phases, a light and a dark. Atlantic Puffin Everyone's So far we've counted 385 tion at the confluence of the cliffs and Westray. favourite nesting place for favourite seabird, is surpris- species, 116 of which breed Atlantic Ocean and the many of Orkney's 13,476 ingly hard to see on the here," Eric Meek, North Sea, where warm, The main Gannet colony is pairs of Arctic Terns, a BREEDING SEABIRDS Mainland. They only come Orkney's RSPB Officer. saline, oceanic water mixes on Sule Stack, near Sule species which is currently Numbers in estimated pairs unless stated ashore to breed in May and with colder, less saline, Skerry, with 5,000 pairs, but a having problems due to lack leave as soon as the young are Fulmar Petrel (91,000) Besides having the biggest nutrient-laden coastal water, few pairs have been breeding of Sand Eels. These are the Storm Petrel (1,870) fledged, in late July or early collection of archaeological means that the sea is rich in at Noup Head on Westray for furthest travelling of all Leach’s Petrel (??) August. They prefer grassy Manx Shearwater (50?) remains, excellent trout - plankton and therefore fish. the last few years, and they , doing a return trip of banks where they can burrow Black Guillemot (5,579) adults ing and the best beef in also may eventually nest on 15,000 miles to the Southern into the soil. Most Orkney Guillemot (181,000) Western , Orkney is Cliffs Orkney is one of the the Horse of Copinsay. Ocean each year. Arctic Razorbill (10,190) Atlantic Puffins are on Sule also one of the finest places most important areas in the Gannets can often be seen also nest in these Puffin (61,532) Skerry (59,471 pairs) which Greater Black-backed (5,560) for birds. The fertile soils whole temperate North fishing around the coast, and areas, and harry the terns in is 40 miles out into the Herring Gull (1,924) support large populations of Atlantic for seabird breeding are regularly observed from acrobatic displays to get Lesser Black-backed Gull (1,042) Atlantic, but on the Mainland invertebrates, which are the and supports nearly a mil- the ferries on the Pentland them to drop their food. (11,208) they can be seen at the Black-headed Gull (2,853) main food supply for many lion seabirds, about the same and in waters around the About 720 pairs of this , Brough of , near Kittiwake (57,668) birds. The horizontally-bed- as the Western Isles, but North Isles. Britain's rarest breeding Arctic Tern (13476) Common Tern (116) Arctic Skua (Scooty Allan) Arctic Tern (Pickieterno) Great Skua (Bonxie) Sandwich Tern (215) Little Tern (5) Gannet (5,000) Cormorant (500) Shag (1,865) Great Skua (2,209) Arctic Skua (720) Eider () WHERE TO SEE BREEDING SEABIRDS Mainland - Marwick Head; Brough of Birsay; Yesnaby; Mull Head, Deerness Islands - Noup Head, Westray; North Hill, Papay; Hoy Reserve; Copinsay

26 27 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 28

BIRDS - MOORLAND AND HILL LOCHS NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

poorer soil of Hoy supports B moorland and small hill P S

fewer species, but in large R lochs are , Teal, numbers. Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, and Red-throated Orkney is well known for its Diver, the eerie calls of Hen Harrier population, and which are often heard as with about 70 nests most they return from fishing at years this attractive raptor is sea. often seen. The beautiful grey male is smaller than the The Great Skua nests mostly female, and the species is in Hoy. This fierce pirate polygamous, with each male only arrived as a breeder in having several “wives”. The Orkney in 1915 and most of Corncrake Raven (Corbie, Hrafn) Hen Harrier’s favourite the world population now food is the Orkney Vole, but Short-eared Owl, both of lives in Orkney and gorge their food, in fact 80% they will also take other which prey on voles. The Shetland. Although aggres- of the Bonxie's food is fish prey. They are frequently dashing Merlin, recovering sive, and often seen attack- caught by splash-diving. Hen Harrier (Katabelly) observed quartering ditches, from a decline in the mid- ing other birds until they dis- 1980s, hunts Meadow Pipit Moorland Much of upland important to many bird field margins and marshes and Skylark but is usually PLACES TO SEE Orkney remains covered in species, which feed off the looking for prey. flying so fast that you hardly LANDBIRDS heather moorland despite the rich invertebrate fauna see it before it is gone. Hobbister, large amount of agricultural which is present. The West The Kestrel nests on the Luckily fence posts are a Binscarth Plantation, Firth reclamation in the last 40 Mainland and Rousay have ground in Orkney, among Cottascarth, common perch, where it can years. This habitat is very the best moorland, while the the heather, as does the Birsay Moors, Birsay be observed for longer. The Loons, Birsay Copinsay B P

S R The sounds which especially Rousay dominate Orkney during the Twite (Heather Lintie) Hoy spring and summer are the SOME COMMON calls of Curlew and LANDBIRDS WHICH Oystercatcher. Both species BREED IN ORKNEY breed in large numbers, Hen Harrier while lesser numbers of Kestrel Snipe, Dunlin and Golden Sparrowhawk Plover together with some Merlin Short-eared Owl Whimbrel also breed on Raven Peregrine Kestrel (Moosiehaak) moorland. Other birds of Skylark (Laveroo) Hoodie Crow Short-eared Owl (Cattie-face, Cattie-ogle) Meadow Pipit Merlin (Smyril, Peerie Hawk) Rock Pipit (Shore or Tang Sparrow) Wheatear (Chuckie, Stinkie Buil) Rock Pipit Pied Wagtail Wheatear Skylark Twite Stonechat Linnet Blackbird Robin Wren Song Thrush House Sparrow Starling Wood Pigeon Corncrake (scarce)

28 29 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 30

BIRDS - MARSHES, LOCHS & COASTS NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Petrel. Eider nearly always nest near the shore while Shelduck use sandy banks. Many Black Guillemots breed among the boulders and in disused rabbit holes, while Storm Petrels nest on many of the offshore islands in old walls and among rocks. Ringed Plover, and Ringed Plover (Sinloo, Sandy Laverock) Snipe (Horsegowk, Water Pleep) Oystercatcher as well as Oystercatcher (Chaldro, Shaalder, Skeldro) Arctic, Common, Sandwich and (a few) Little Terns also lay in scrapes along shingle shorelines, and care must be taken when walking to avoid standing on the superbly camouflaged eggs and young. Lapwing (Teeick, Teeoo, Peewit) Redshank (Watery Pleep) Threats The proximity of and it is very important that climate or manmade influ- fertile farmland to the other the oil companies maintain ence. Commercial fisher- PLACES TO SEE types of habitat is very their good records regarding men also suffer from such BREEDING WADERS important in the overall Curlew (Whaup) oil spills. Since most shortages. Industrial fishing ecosystem in Orkney. This species are near the top of of various species including Lochs of & Marshes and Lochs . Many species of system is finely balanced, the food chain, build-up of Sand Eels still occurs on a Burgar Hill, Evie Although the major lochs waders and waterfowl breed and if further large-scale chemical pollutants in the large scale in the North Sea, Loons & Loch of Banks, Birsay have not changed in recent in these areas and notably drainage or reclamation ocean may also be a problem and, especially in times of Loch of Isbister, Birsay years, there has been a several pairs of the rare were to take place, sustain- either with availability of food shortage, may affect Echnaloch, marked decline in marshland Pintail breed in the West able populations of many prey or its toxicity. seabirds, which are reck- Mill Loch, and reduction in size of the Mainland, , North species could fall. Equally a oned to take less than 1% of , Shapinsay smaller lochs due to Ronaldsay and Shapinsay. substantial decline in stock Seabirds are also affected by fish production from the drainage. The RSPB has farming would also threaten shortages of food species, North Sea. Thus if they are BREEDING WADERS established several Reserves Coast The low banks and many species. such as Sand Eels, whether suffering this must be a TO SEE IN ORKNEY to help counter this decline, cliffs of much of Orkney's caused by natural fluctua- warning sign to the fishing Numbers are in estimated breeding pairs including the Loons in coastline are used as breed- Seabirds are sensitive to pol- tions in ocean circulation, industry as well. Birsay and the Mill Dam in ing sites by many Fulmar lution, especially from oil, Oystercatcher (10,000) Whimbrel (Summer or Peedie Whaup) Golden Plover (Hill Laverock, Plever Pliver) Dunlin (Boondie) Ringed Plover (500) l l

e Golden Plover (100) b p Lapwing (5,000) m a

C Dunlin (100) e i r

u Snipe (3,000) a

L Black-tailed Godwit (5) Whimbrel (10) Curlew (5,000) Redshank (1,700) Common Sandpiper (15) Woodcock (occasional)

30 31 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 32

BIRDS - WATERFOWL NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

(ON Looma tjorn, Diver Loch). These lochs are usu- ally too small to provide much food, so the adults normally fish at sea or on the larger lochs. Their mournful calls have given them the name “Rain Goose”. Divers may be closely observed from hides at Lowrie’s Water on Burgar Hill in Evie Red-throated Diver (Loom, Loon, Rain Goose) (near the aerogenerators) or Mallard (Stock Duck) Red-breasted Merganser (Herald) the Mill Loch on Eday. raised numbers which now B P S

breed here. Greylags from R There was until recently a the native Scottish popula- small colony of Grey tion in Sutherland are also in a tree plantation, but most known to have bred here. of this species seen in Orkney are migrants from Although wildfowl are sen- Scandinavia. They may sitive to loss of habitat, commonly be seen fishing at efforts to retain or reinstate the margins of lochs, and in suitable marshy areas have burns and ditches, or at estu- Tufted Duck had considerable success. aries such as the Brig During the breeding season Pintail breed on several lochs and marshes Waterfowl find Orkney Pintail. In many other O’Waithe or the Ouse in the common species may attractive at all seasons. At places the car can be used as . least 11 species of duck a hide, or a telescope used. often be seen in burns, ditch- PLACES TO SEE breed on the many lochs es and lochsides. BREEDING WATER- Mute Swans breeds on many FOWL scattered across the islands. Red-breasted Merganser, of the larger lochs, and is Summer numbers of water- Mallard, Teal and Wigeon Shelduck and Eider all nest especially prominent on the The Loons, Birsay fowl are small compared Loch of Isbister, Birsay are the commonest species. in coastal locations and are Lochs of Harray and The hides at the Loons in quite common. They are with the the huge numbers Burgar Hill, Evie Stenness. Adults and young Mill Loch, Eday of winter visitors, but the Birsay and the Mill Dam in frequently seen with their may frequently be observed Mill Dam, Shapinsay variety and opportunities to Lochs of Stenness & Harray Shapinsay are probably the families once hatched. from very close distances see rare breeders more than Echnaloch, Burray best place to watch these Red-throated Divers nest on from the Bridge of Brodgar. species close-up without dis- Hoy, Rousay, Eday and the make up for quantity. BREEDING turbance, including national- Mainland, often on small Greylag Geese first bred in Eider Duck (Dunter) WATERFOWL TO SEE ly rare species such as the lochs called Loomachun 1985 and now there is a sub- Mute Swan with young on Loch of Harray Red-throated Diver (130) stantial local population, Red-breasted Merganser (150) The hide at the Mill Loch on Shapinsay Shelduck (100) breeding on small islands as Pintail (25) well as the Mainland, Eider Rousay and Shapinsay. This Mallard population may have origi- Tufted Duck Gadwall (5-6) nated Icelandic birds which Wigeon stayed for the summer. Shoveller Many birds, bred on Pochard Garganey Shapinsay from Scottish Mute Swan () stock, have been released for Grey Heron (10-12) shooting, which has also Greylag Goose ()

32 33 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 34

BIRDS - MIGRANTS AND WINTER VISITORS NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

species can be observed at different times of year. MIGRATION TIMES From mid-March to early Lochs In particular, the June - May/start June best lochs are internationally From end July to early important for wintering October - September best waterfowl, with over 17,000 SOME MIGRANTS being counted in December WHICH MAY BE SEEN 1990 on the Loch of Harray Turnstone (common) alone. Large numbers of Red-necked Phalarope (scarce) Greylag Geese Pochard, Tufted Duck, Whooper Swan Purple Sandpiper (common)

l Goldeneye and Whooper l Sanderling (common)

e are resident around the b

p Swans arrive each autumn. coast, they are joined over Knot (common) m

a The latter used to stop for a Ruff 9scarce) C the winter by Great Northern e

i few days before continuing Snow Bunting (common) r

u Diver, Velvet Scoter, Long- Wheatear (common) a south, but some now stay on L tailed Duck, Goldeneye, the loch all winter and feed Robin (common) Slavonian Grebe and others. Great Northern Diver (common) on barley stubble fields. Long-tailed Duck (common) Iceland and Glaucous Bluethroat Scarce) The many geese which pass are regular visitors and may Redwing (common) through or stay all winter sometimes be seen at Fieldfare (common) also roost on the lochs and Greylag Goose (common) Greenland White-fronted Geese or graze on the surrounding Pink-footed Goose (common) Harbour in winter, particu- farmland. Greylag, Pink- Greenland White-front Goose (common) larly at sewage outfalls. The footed and Greenland Barnacle Goose (scarce) occasional Ring-billed Gull Pochard (common) White-front are the com- also puts in an appearance. Long-eared Owl Tufted Duck(common) monest types of geese, but Wigeon (common) there is a flock of Barnacle Goldeneye (common) Geese in the South Isles Velvet Scoter (scarce) each winter. Slavonian Grebe (scarce) (scarce) The Sea The large areas of Glaucous Gull (scarce) sheltered shallow sea water Ring-billed Gull (rare) Pochard on loch - winter sunset Little Auk (scarce) and many gently shelving Whooper Swan (common) Migration After the breed- and again on their way north beaches provide good feed- ing season many birds in spring. Many Arctic Swallow (common) ing and overwintering areas Long-eared Owl (scarce) migrate southwards or out to breeders overwinter in for many species. While Waxwing (eruptive) sea for the winter, but this Orkney. Thus a range of Shag, Cormorant and Eider Robin Snow Bunting (Oatfowl, Snowfowl) Crossbill (eruptive) does not mean that Orkney Iceland Gull Great Northern Diver (Immer Goose) is a poor place to see birds at BEST MIGRANT SITES other times of year. On the Islands - , contrary, the migration peri- Sanday, Stronsay ods in autumn and spring Mainland - Kirkwall and bring interesting and unusu- Stromness Harbours, Scapa al vagrants every year, while Beach, East Mainland beach- es, South Ronaldsay, species which breed further Graemeshall Loch, old quar- north migrate annually, ries, areas of scrub and wood- some passing through on land, gardens their way south in autumn

34 35 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 36

BIRDS - MIGRANTS & WINTER VISITORS NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

both resident and migrant. Estimates suggest that more than 60,000 waders winter in Orkney, especially Purple Sandpiper (28% of UK pop- ulation) and Curlew (25% of UK population). Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Sanderling, Redshank, Bar- tailed Godwit, Golden Goldeneye (Gowdy Duck, Kwink) Long-tailed Duck (Caloo) Sanderling Plover, Lapwing and Dunlin Osprey or may North American species out what is on the grapevine, are also present in consider- appear on passage and also get caught up in weath- or for information on visit- able numbers. The beaches White-tailed Sea Eagles are er systems, and are seen on ing its reserves, telephone on Sanday are particularly also sometimes seen. Long- the islands on occasion. In the local RSPB office on attractive to waders eared Owls arrive every addition to the eastern North (01856) 850176. winter from Norway and Isles the eastern parishes of Raptors Many Hen roost among the few trees the Mainland can also be Harriers are resident and in available. good for migrant hunting, winter tend to roost commu- particularly in foggy weath- nally among reeds in marsh- Migration Time The er, and , Deerness and es, particularly at the Loch islands of North Ronaldsay, South Ronaldsay all have Bar-tailed Godwit in summer plumage (Tang Whaup) of Banks (HY275235), and Sanday and Stronsay tend to good spots. at Durkadale (HY373200). Little Auks appear in winter. caused by exposure and be the best places for unusu- Merlin are more common in Particularly after an extend- inexperience. al Continental migrants The local enthusiasts soon winter, as adults from ed period of strong easter- blown in on easterly winds. hear what is about. To find Shetland and Iceland move Little Auk (Rotchie) lies, there is often a “wreck” The Shore The intertidal During the Spring especial- south and the previous sum- of Auks, mostly young zones provide rich feeding ly, east winds can blow for mer's young are still linger- Guillemots, presumably ground for the many waders, some days, due to the devel- ing about. The occasional opment of a Baltic High pressure and often bring "falls" of interesting birds. While very exciting for the twitcher, one cannot but speculate on the fate of many of these birds, which are often many thousands of miles away from their nor- mal destination! Dotterel Red-necked Phalarope (Half-web) Velvet Scoter

Turnstone (Stone Putter) Dunlin in winter plumage (Boondie) Teal, Bay of Firth Great Crested Grebe

36 37 ogb 3 collated.qxp 26/10/2005 19:46 Page 38

Tammy Norie o’ the Baas, ORKNEY BIRD NAMES Canna kiss a bonny lass. NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Many of the birds which English Orkney Systematic occur in Orkney have local names. These are frequent- Knot Ebb Cock Calidris canutus ly derived from , Dunlin Boondie Calidris alpina but may also refer to the Snipe Horsegowk, Water Pleep Gallinago galligano appearance, behaviour or Bar-tailed Godwit Tang Whaup Limosa lapponica habitat of the species. Most Whimbrel Summer or Peedie Whaup Numenius phaeopus of these names are still in Curlew Whaup Numenius arquata current usage, which under- Redshank Watery Pleeps Tringa totanus lines the place that birds Common Sandpiper Steenie Pouter, Water Pleep Actitis hypoleucos have always played in the Turnstone Stone Putter Arenaria interpres Orcadian psyche. While Red-necked Phalarope Half-web Phalaropus lobatus some of the names are clear- Great Skua Bonxie, Allan, Herdsman Stercorarius skua ly of Scottish derivation, Arctic Skua Scootie Allan Stercorarius parasiticus The Whaup, or Curlew, is omnipresent on Orkney’s farmland and moorland most are unique to Orkney. Black-headed Gull Rittock, Swarfarro ridibundus Common Gull Whitemaa, Cullya Larus canus English Orkney Systematic Herring Gull Whitemaa Larus argentatus Red-throated Diver Loom, Loon, Rain Goose Gavia stellata Great Black-backed Gull Baakie, Swaabie, Swart Back Larus marinus Great Northern Diver Immer Goose Gavia immer Kittiwake Kittick, Kittiwaako Rissa tridactyla Little Grebe or Dabchick Little Footy Arse Tachybaptus ruficollis Arctic Tern Pickieterno, Rittock, Ritto, Tirrick Sterna paradisaea Manx Shearwater Lyre or Lyrie Puffinus puffinus Guillemot Aak, Skout, Lungi Uria aalge Fulmar Petrel Mallimack Fulmarus glacialis Razorbill Cooter-neb, Baukie Alca torda Storm Petrel Alamonti, Mootie, Gourder Hydrobates pelagicus Black Guillemot Tyste, Tystie Cepphus grylle Gannet Sula, Solan Goose Sula bassana Little Auk Rotchie Alle alle Cormorant Scarf, Hibling, Lerblade, Palmer Phalacrocorax carbo Atlantic Puffin Tammie Norie, Sea Coulter Fratercula arctica Shag Skart, Tappie Whaesie Phalacorax aristotelis Rock Dove Doo Columba livia Grey Heron Hegrie, Skiop Herie cinerea Cuckoo Gauk Cuculus canorus Barnacle Goose Claik, Rotherock, Horra Goose Branta leucopsis Short-eared Owl Cattie-face, Cattie-ogle Asio flammeus Brent Goose Quink, Horra Goose Branta bernicla Skylark Laverock, Laveroo Alauda arvensis Shelduck Sly or Ringer Goose Tadorna tadorna Sand Martin Witchuk Riparia riparia Mallard Stock Duck Anas platyrhynchos Meadow Pipit Teeting, Titlark Anthus pratensis Teal Ateal Anas crecca Rock Pipit Tang or Shore Sparrow Anthus spinoletta Goldeneye Gowdy Duck, Kwink Bucephala clangula Pied Wagtail Willie Wagtail Motacilla alba Long-tailed Duck Caloo Clangula hyemalis Wren Wirran, Wrannock Troglodytes troglodytes Eider Dunter Somateria mollissima Dunnock Hemplie, Titling Prunella modularis Goosander Rantock Mergus merganser Wheatear Chuckie, Stinkie-buil Oenanthe oenanthe Red-breasted Merganser Sawbill, Herald, Harle Mergus serrator Ring Ouzel Flitterchack Turdus torquatus White-tailed Eagle Erne Haliaeetus albicilla Blackbird Chucket Turdus merula Golden Eagle Ainie-onyoo Aquila chrysaetos Yellow Hammer Yellow Yarling Emberiza citrinella Hen Harrier Kattabelly Circus cyaneus Snow Bunting Oatfowl, Snowbird, Snowflake Plextrophenax nivalis Buzzard Gled Buteo buteo Corn Bunting Skitterbroltie Miliaria calandra Kestrel Moosiehaak, Wind Cuffer Falco tinnunculus Linnet Lintie, Lintick Carduelis cannabina Merlin Smyril Falco columbarius Twite Heather Lintie Carduelis flavirostris Red Grouse Muirhen, Muir Pout Lagopus lagopus House Sparrow Sprog Passer domesticus Coot Snythe, Snaith Fulica atra Starling Scootie, Stare Sturnus vulgaris Oystercatcher Skeldro, Chaldro, Shaalder Haematopus ostralegus Jackdaw Jackie, Kae monedula Ringed Plover Sinloo, Sandy Laverock Charadrius hiaticula Rook Corbie Corvus frugilegus Golden Plover Hill Laverock, Plever Pliver Pluvialis apricaria Hooded Crow Craa, Hoodie Corvus cornix Lapwing Teeick, Teeoo, Peewit Vanellus vannellus Raven Hrafn, Corbie Corvus corax

38 39