Potters Bar & Barnet Local RSPB Group

Group Visit to Orkney

May 23rd - June 1st 2009

By Sally Bennett with photos by Bruce Bennett

21 Group members set off on Saturday May 23. With no direct flight available, half the party flew via Glasgow and the remainder via Edinburgh, then on to Kirkwall. We were divided between two guesthouses in Kirkwall and travelled round in a small fleet of hire cars driven by volunteers from within the Group.

As we have come to expect, the arrangements were a finely tuned logistical exercise based around ferry bookings, often with the party divided into two groups swapping itineraries on consecutive days, each day culminating in excellent pre-ordered meals at a range of venues.

A number of us had visited Orkney at least once before and the trip combined some nostalgic visits to old favourite spots with a number of new areas and islands. On Mainland our itinerary included Hobbister and Waulkmill Bay providing a feast of birds including arctic, great and long-tailed skuas, red-throated divers, red-breasted mergansers, black guillemots and a hen harrier.
Other key Mainland birding areas included Wideford Hill, Marwick Head, the Loons and the cliffs at Yesnerby.

Turning to Orkney’s amazing ancient history we visited the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Steness and the wonderful ancient site of Skara Brae. Somewhat more modern history took us to the Churchill Barriers leading to the fascinating Italian Chapel.

In addition we had major excursions to a number of other islands in the group including Rousay, Egilsay, Shapinsay, Copinsay - a tiny uninhabited island new to us all, Papa Westray and - everyone’s favourite - Hoy.

The total list of birds seen was around 100. In addition perhaps one of the most thrilling sightings of the entire trip was of a pod of orcas (killer whales), seen well by everyone.

A detailed trip report has been prepared including articles on all the main excursions produced by a number of participants. This has been distributed

to all concerned and a copy is available to anyone else interested on request.                                                                                           

                                                                                                Skara Brae Fireplace

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