May 2024

1st May – We took a trip up to Birsay for a bit of fresh air and a walk on the beach. It was high tide and the causeway to the Brough was submerged, so this fisherman was able to take his skiff across without damaging his outboard. The causeway is just visible in this pic as a light band under the boat.

3rd May – Doing my usual Shorewatch today, but was a bit bored and tried to take a photo through the binoculars with my phone. I think it came out quite well.

5th May – A big day in Stromness. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI there was a parade of massed pipes and drums from five pipe bands, Stromness, Kirkwall, Thurso, Wick and Kincardine, Ontario. It was quite moving watching them go past and the Canadians got a big cheer.

This is a short, shaky video of them passing the GMB garden. Apologies for the quality.

All the various Lifeboat crews marched behind their respective bands, here is the Stromness crew.

Heading home on the Hamnavoe, the Thurso band were out on the rear deck entertaining the passengers and crew. The skirl of the pipes carrying across the water to us.

The weather stayed nice and warm and I think a good day was had by all.

10th May – Another pea-souper in Stromness, we’ve had a lot of this haar recently. Stromness seems particularly prone, if we go a couple of miles inland, it will be clear. This is 10am and we can’t see the harbour.

14th May – A clear morning at last, bright enough for this bonny, wee boat to venture out of Hoy Sound.

19th May – Whilst watching the sailing club out on manoeuvres this afternoon, H spotted this little stoat hiding among the rocks on the shore. Very sharp sighted, as they’re not very big.

The scourge of Orkney, these peedie predators are recent arrivals in the islands, and they are playing havoc with the ground nesting birds. There is an ongoing programme to eradicate them, or at least keep the numbers down.

20th May – I received a tip-off this evening that there were Orca passing near Stromness. I dashed out but could only see them in the distance. Luckily they were to the west and the evening sun was catching the blows. This is a fuzzy photo of a large bull taking a breath.

24th May – Well, it’s Orkney Folk Festival weekend and the town is packed. The biggest drawback of the event is the arrival of these things.

They park anywhere and everywhere, with little consideration for others. This monster is taking up four parking spaces. We’ve had issues with them parking on the grass area and blocking our Shorewatch site.

Hopefully, the installation of our new sign might help to maintain access to our survey point.

This was produced by HJM Signwriters of Well Park! I think she did a great job. Put up by Terry and myself.

It is clearly appreciated by the harbour porpoises , as this one turned up for a look within a few hours of installation.

26th May – It was nice to see this little orchid appear in a pot of Michaelmas daisies, leaving the pot undisturbed for ages has suited it.

28th May – A busy month at Ness Point. We had another pod of Orca pass through this afternoon. Their appearance coincided with the Hamnavoe‘s arrival from Scrabster. I’ve always wanted to see dolphins bowriding a ship but, for me, this is just as good.

A legend in my own lunchtime, Northlink Ferries have used the photo!