Sea Cruiser "The World"
This is the huge Sea Cruiser known as “The World” It is owned by the passengers who own their own luxury apartments on board. It sails around the world, stopping in various ports for 3-5 days.
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Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica
The Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica, is a favorite bird of many people, even those who aren’t particularly interested in birds. There is something about the huge colorful beak and the squat little body that makes it irresistable to us.
This bird nests along north Atlantic coasts from Northern Europe through Iceland to Eastern North America. It often nests with other members of the Auk family,although they have worked out a system of sharing the sea cliffs. For example in Orkney, the Black Guillemot nests at the lowest level, with Razorbill and Common Murre on the middle cliff ledges. The Atlantic Puffin are usually near the top where they burrow into the sediment to lay their eggs.
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Common Snipe
The Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago, is found in in Europe Asia and Africa. There are two subspecies, G. g. faeroeensis, which is found in the Faroes, Orkney and Shetland, and Iceland, and the nominate subspecies which is found every where else. The above bird is of the former subspecies as it eas found in Orkney.
There was formerly thought to be an additional race in North America, but it has been split to full species status and is now known as Wilson’s Snipe, G. delicata.
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Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis
The Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, is one of the most interesting members of the Petrel family. It comes in a range of morphs whose abundance is separated by geography. In the Pacific are found dark and mid-gray birds while the Atlantic tends to have whiter types.
One of the interesting features was the colonization of the island of Britain by this species. It first started nesting in the Orkney Islands in the later part of the 19th century and gradually spread until it is now a well established resident.
 Northern Fulmar, White morph, Orkney |
 Northern Fulmar, Dark morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, Dark morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, Gray morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, Dark morph, California |
 Northern Fulmar, White morph, Orkney |
 Northern Fulmar, White morph nesting, Orkney |
 Northern Fulmar, Gray morph, California |
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The Parasitic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus, also known as the Arctic Skua in Europe, breed on tundra and moors from the high arctic down to the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
As well as following the family habit of harassing other birds for their food, they also prey on lemmings and other rodents.
They come in different color morphs, and generally, pairs are of different morphs as they pair show above.
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The Great Skua, Stercorarius skua, is the northern representative of this family, with a breeding range of Iceland, Norway, Scotland and the Faroe Islands. In Scotland, particularly in Orkney and Shetland, it is often called the Bonxie.
It is very aggressive to other birds, especially Gulls and Terns and will harass them to give up their food. It will also attack and take other birds for food, and around colonies of Auks, it is always on the lookout for an unattended chick.
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The Loons is a wetlands area which is home to many breeding species, as well as a stopover for migrants
There is a hide overlooking one of the best parts of the area. Within this area can be found Mallards, Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall. Little Grebe and Water Rail have been seen as has the occasional Gray Heron. Both Arctic and Common Terns make regular visits, as do the Arctic Skua /Parasitic Jaeger and Great Skua. Short Eared Owl can be found hunting the area, in fact, I found one roosting on the hide itself. (more…)
The Hobbister Reserve is a heather moor bounded by the sea. The cliffs are not particularly high, and are ideal for breeding Black Guillemot and European Shag. Red Grouse breed here, as well as a number of Stonechat pairs, and Rock Pipits.
Nearby Waukmill Bay has a large sandy tidal flat which is very attractive to shorebirds and gulls. Bar-Tailed Godwit were present in mid July on my visit there
The Birsay Moors are an extensive heather and peat moor with some interesting breeding species.
At the highest point of the moors are huge power generating windmills. This is the Burglar Hill. The bit of a loch below the windmills has a hide/blind beside it. The Loch itself holds breeding Red Throated Loons. It is also home for a number of breeding species of ducks such as Gadwall and Mallard. Tufted Duck can be seen on the more open Lochs. (more…)
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