Wild Orkney Walks

21/12/2024

Happy Winter Solstice!

As you can see it's a tad windy here today, so I am staying cosy indoors.

I will be offering wildlife walks over the festive period but will be closed on the 25th & 26th December and the 1st & 2nd January. Weather permitting of course!

Stay safe, warm and cosy!

01/12/2024

In addition to all the lovely reviews that I receive, occasionally a client will send me something different to show their appreciation. This week I was delighted to receive a beautiful poem written by Katharine Davis:

Grass of Parnassus

Orkney, a Scottish isle in the North Sea

523 square kilometers in size

where sheep and cows graze

in the gentle green landscape, the

constant hum of the wind for company.



We walk with our guide on Mull Head

along high cliffs dropping to the sea

past banks of watercress, our boots making

a sucking sound on the sodden ground

after a rain drenching summer.



We pause and kneel as if to pray

to examine the armeria maritima, thrift,

a coastal jewel, and then to study

the marsh orchids with their intricate

purple blooms, stalwart in the relentless wind.



And later, with great delight, she points

out the grass of parnassus, a rare sight

this late in the year, tiny white velvety petals

a miracle it seems in this land devoid of trees

or plants for cover, so tiny and close to the ground.

There in this faraway place, where the

sea lions pop their heads out of the crashing surf

and where the pink-footed geese call out

announcing fall, we witnessed this blessing

this miniature, precious world alive at our feet.

27/11/2024

This beautiful Redwing has been a regular visitor to our garden this past week. I wonder if it has been left behind, or maybe it just fancied a winter break in Stromness and who can blame it? It's lovely to watch it foraging in the leaf litter and earth for grubs and insects.

24/11/2024

As a certain time of year is fast approaching, I thought a wee reminder might be useful if you are struggling for ideas. All of our gift vouchers are personalised to each individual. They can be for a specific walk, or an amount to put towards a walk/tour. Our gift vouchers are available all year round, and would make an ideal birthday or anniversary present too. Please contact us for more information.

22/11/2024

Here I am with another of my "volunteer hats" on! I have enjoyed helping on some Species on the Edge events this year, and I was delighted to be involved in the Nature Prescription project.

13/11/2024

My latest wildlife blog for October, hope you enjoy reading it.

When you think of October in Scotland autumn colours and trees spring to mind. Read on to find out more about Wild Orkney Walks in the autumn,

10/11/2024

A Stroll Around Shapinsay is available to book through the winter months, and it is a fabulous island to visit for some winter winter wildlife including Whooper swans, Long-tailed ducks, Great Northern divers and hopefully seals. Between November and March, it is a shorter day and the price has been adjusted to reflect this.

There are spaces on A Stroll Around Shapinsay on Wednesday 13th Novemer. Please get in touch for more info/to book.

https://wildorkneywalks.co.uk/walks/a-stroll-around-shapinsay/

06/11/2024

I never thought I would be doing a wildflower post in November, but it has been unseasonably mild so far. Over the last couple of days, we have been walking a route on our local patch and have counted 26 species of plant in flower. It's amazing when you look closely, just how many there are.

Have you noticed anything different or unusual this November?

31/10/2024

As it is a tad breezy and wet today, I should be getting on with my winter admin work, however, I am easily distracted with wildlife web cams! There are a few that I follow in Denmark, New York and North Carolina, but my current favourite is the Panama fruit feeders. This is one of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology web cams and they provide a list of the birds that you can see to help you identify them. In addition to the colourful birds, I have also seen butterflies, squirrels, agoutis and basilisks so far!

Do you watch any wildlife web cams? What are your favourites? Please share in the comments below.

Watch the Panama Fruit Feeder cam

29/10/2024

I received this lovely review after my Seal Pup walk yesterday. 😀

The Seal Pup walks are running until the 20th December, so there is still plenty of time to book onto one. Numbers of pups will be continuing to build up till mid-November so there will be lots to see.

24/10/2024

The Seal Pup walk is one of my favourites at this time of year, there is always lots going on and cute pups, what's not to like?!

There are currently 3 spaces on Monday 28th October at 1.30pm but, I will be running these walks every week until mid-December. So, if you fancy a short walk with guaranteed seals and cute pups, then please get in touch.

https://wildorkneywalks.co.uk/walks/seal-pup-walk/

18/10/2024

We have been away on holiday this week. Gorgeous weather, autumn colours and different/new wildlife.

We're back to work from Monday 21st so please get in touch if you are interested in a walk to see autumnal wildlife in Orkney.

10/10/2024

It's been a while since I have written a wildlife blog/news update so here is a quick update for September.

https://wildorkneywalks.co.uk/the-latest-news-from-wild-orkney-walks-september/

09/10/2024

FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER - FLOTTA: A HIDDEN GEM
This will be my last Flotta trip for this season. We should see a variety of mammals and birds, including some migrants or maybe even some of our winter visitors. If we're lucky with the weather, we might spot Harbour Porpoises and any late wildflowers. This is a full day out, meeting at 7.40am and returning at 5.15pm. Price £85pp incl ferry fare.

Bookings must be confirmed with me by 7pm on Thursday 10th October.

https://wildorkneywalks.co.uk/walks/flotta-a-hidden-gem/

08/10/2024

This is a timely, and useful reminder about how to behave around seals, especially as the Grey seal pupping season gets underway.

On my Seal Pup Walks I am always aware of how the adult seals are reacting to our presence and if they look alarmed or on edge, then we will move on. It is a real privilege for us to sit and observe them, so the last thing we want to do is cause any disturbance.