Aren't birds brilliant > Sites > Viewing Orkney's birds

This season's highlights

It was a great breeding season for our female hen harrier. She successfully reared four healthy chicks - two male and two female - and provided visitors with fantastic live action from the nest until the middle of July, when the youngsters fledged and left the nest.

Shortly after the chicks fledged we were able to put together footage from the live filming and show a short DVD of the downy white chicks developing into fully fledged birds. Re-live the female bringing in food (from small birds to voles and large rabbits) for her hungry young, and watch as they go from being fed by her to being able to feed themselves.

Although the project is now over, the DVD will continue to be played in the Kirkwall Visitor Information Centre until 24 October 2008.

You can also pick up information from the Centre about the best places to see Orkney's birds.

Jenny Dewar, Orkney Aren't birds brilliant! Assistant

Adult female hen harrier in flight

Viewing Orkney's birds

21 April to 31 August

Video linkRSPB staff on hand to helpToilets

Orkney is home to many spectacular birds of prey, but the magnificent hen harrier is often considered Orkney's national bird.

Join us at Kirkwall Visitor Centre and peer into a hen harrier nest as we beam live nest images onto a screen located at the centre.

You'll see newly-hatched chicks, the male bringing back Orkney voles and small birds for his growing family, and you may even be lucky enough to see the youngsters take their first flights.

We'll also be showing footage from last year, plus plenty of footage of other Orkney birds.

Friendly staff and helpers will be on hand most of the time to help you learn more about hen harriers, Orkney's other birds and wildlife, as well as telling you the best places to see them.

This project is free.

Opening times

The Visitor Centre is open at the following times:
September-May, Monday to Friday 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday 10 am–4 pm
June-August daily, 8.30 am–8 pm.

We will be showing webcam images from the nest, early-June through to late-July.

How to get there

Kirkwall Travel Centre is in Junction Road in Kirkwall, Orkney's main town.

By ferry
Your can reach Orkney by ferry from Scrabster, arriving in Stromness. There is a regular bus service between Stromness and Kirkwall.

Alternatively you can travel by ferry from Gills Bay, arriving in St Margaret's Hope and again there is a regular bus service to Kirkwall. The ferry from Aberdeen arrives in and departs from Kirkwall 3 or 4 times a week, depending on the season.

By plane
Travel by plane will also take you to Kirkwall; an airport bus service is available to transport you from the airport to the town.

Why not make a day of it?

Nearby attractions that you may also like to visit:

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Visit Orkney, Orkney Islands Council and British Telecom for their support of this project.