Orkney

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March, 2012

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Orkney

2012 Winter Bird Race

Posted over 1 year ago

by Pauline Wilson
- 0 Comments
After terrible weather on the Saturday, it was a relief to
find a much better day on March 4th when the 7 teams toured the mainland
counting species along the way.

Some rarer birds were seen - American wigeon, Tree Sparrow,
Hawfinch, Mistle Thrush and Snow Goose (I was privileged to see the wigeon,
snow goose and hawfinch - the latter thanks to the good sportsmanship of a
rival team who allowed competitors to have a telescopic view of this beautiful
bird).

After bird-spotting for eight and a half hours, the winning
team once more emerged as Alistair Forsyth, Julian Branscombe, Barry &
Linda Hamill who amassed a total of 91 species.The runner-up team
with 88 points - Malcolm Russell, Thelma Irvine, Willie and Pauline Wilson; third was
Steve Sankey with his wife and young son - they did well with only 3 members.

A total of 107 species was seen on the day - it is thought this is a record.

After the race some of the participants enjoyed a meal at the Lynnfield Hotel.

Many thanks to Malcolm Russell for supplying these facts and
figures - Malcolm says this is one of the best bird races ever and I can only
agree with him. A photo of the winning team is below:

Winning Team: Alistair Forsyth, Julian Branscombe, Linda Hamill, Barry Hamill. Photo Pauline Wilson.
Orkney

March 19th - Latest Happenings

Posted over 1 year ago

by Pauline Wilson
- 0 Comments
Binocular cases needed

RSPB Orkney Field Teacher Lindsey Taylor asks if any of our Local Group members have old binocular cases which they would be willing to pass on to her. These would be ideal for carrying equipment for hunting minibeasts, etc. with the Wex Group and schools events. If you have a spare case with no bins to go in it, perhaps you would consider finding it a new home?

Cases can b dropped off at the RSPB Office or at the Kirkwall Tourist Information Centre (c/o Lindsey's sister Megan Taylor). If it is easier, Lindsey's address is:

Strathyre, Maitland Place, Finstown where cases can be dropped off.

Thanks.

SPRING EVENTS:

Durkadale Picnic - Sunday 25th March

This is a joint event with Orkney Field Club to carry out maintenance work at the RSPB and OFC native tree plantations. There will be the usual picnic and an opportunity to do some wildlife-watching. Arrive anytime between 10 am and 1 pm. Contact Jenny Taylor on 01856 811231.

** RSPB Local Group Spring Meeting - Friday 30th March

Julian Branscombe will give an illustrated talk entitled "Germany - Birds and a Salamander" which promises to be very interesting. It's at the St. Magnus Centre, Kirkwall commencing at 7.30 pm. Refreshments will be served and a raffle held towards cost of room hire. Small donations at the door would be appreciated. Make a note in your diary and watch out for the advert in the Orcadian. I hope our group members will support this event.

Birding by Bus - Sunday 1st April

A last call for this coach trip which will be travelling round the West Mainland looking at bird hot-spots and hopefully seeing plenty of species. There will be a commentary, giving information as to what is being seen, facts about the different birds, etc. The trip is from 10 am until 2 pm. Meet at Ring of Brodgar Car Park at 9.45 am and bring along a picnic and refreshments if desired. Cost is £11.70 and it would be appreciated if the exact amount could be paid to avoid having to dig around for change. Although there will be very little walking, stout footwear would be advisable. Details/ bookings to Dick Matson on 01856 751426.

Harrier Sky Dancing - Sunday 15th April

Another joint event with OFC, this is a guided walk in the Birsay Moors to watch the spectacular courtship display of the hen harrier. Other birds of prey should also be on view. Families and non-members are very welcome to attend. Bring a picnic and binoculars if available. Meet at Rendall Community Centre at 9.30 am. Graham and Kathie Brown are waiting to receive bookings on 01856 841390.

Bag the Bruck - Sat. 21st/Sun. 22nd April

Marine debris can seriously harm our wildlife so please come along and help remove plastic rope, netting and other rubbish from our beaches. RSPB Local Group will tackle Waulkmill Bay on the Saturday and Orkney Field Club will be at Marwick Bay on the Sunday. Visit anytime between 10 am and 2 p m. Contacts: RSPB Office 01856 850176 or Brian Ribbands (OFC) on 01856 751439.

Sessions at the Loons Hide

Bird-watching sessions are now under way at the Loons Hide and anyone is welcome to go along on the following dates:

Friday 30th March

Friday's 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th April

Sessions are from 9.30 am until 12.30.

A staff member is on hand to answer any questions (normally Lorna or Alan). It's free and you can drop in past any time during the session - you don't have to stay for the full 3 hours. If you'd like to find out more contact the RSPB office in Stromness on 01856 850176.

There will be more sessions through the year and the location will vary but these still are to be decided!

WEX Events - Jane Beckwith tells us about forthcoming outings:

Sunday 25 March – 2-p.m.

West Mainland, specific venue still to be decided.

Meeting called – Be a Fossil Hunter and discover Orkney Rocks.

April 21st - Joining in with the Bag the Bruck session with the RSPB at Waulkmill Bay.

For all WEX enquiries please telephone Jane Beckwith (841212)

Fri.25th/Sat.26th May - Co-op Bag Packing

A few people have already been in touch offering their services with the Local Group bag pack at the Kirkwall Co-op. If anyone else can spare an hour or two on either the Friday or the Saturday then I would be delighted to hear from them. This is a great opportunity to raise vital funds for conservation. Either email p.wilson410@btinternet.com or Tel. 01856 741382.
Orkney

Three Birds from Ian

Posted over 1 year ago

by Pauline Wilson
- 0 Comments
Ian Cunningham has been busy with his camera again and sent
me 3 great pictures:

(1) A rare American Wigeon that has been at
Toab for a few weeks now. In fact I was lucky to see this on the bird race.

(2) A colourful Teal taken at Graemeshall in Holm.

(3) Coming back from Kirkwall on March 8th, Ian spotted this Merlin near BossackQuarry and rushed home for his camera. Incredibly, the birdwas still in the same spot and he was able to get this super photo. Ian tells me that this bird was still in the exact spot today when he took the other two photos. As he says "Who says lightening doesn't strike twice!"

Teal at Graemeshall in Holm.

Merlin in Tankerness

Rare American Wigeon in Toab.

Orkney

Orkney Goose Census – February 2012

Posted over 1 year ago

Alan Leitch

0 Comments

During the weekend of 25^th/26^thFebruary, staff and volunteers attempted to census the number of geese on Orkney at that point in time using the road network and attempting to cover all suitable habitats. The result which were compiled by Eric Meek are shown below.

	February 2012	December 2011	December 2010
North Ronaldsay	1267	314	1244
Sanday	5326	4260	3830
Westray	2370	980	1520
Papa Westray	1233	1348	1504
Eday	1673	1635	1135
Stronsay	5979	6309	7221
Rousay	2043	403	1198
Egilsay	576	232	864
Wyre	262	40	532
Shapinsay	6180	4154	7895
West Mainland	31382	26452	24878
East Mainland	11808	16264	17440
Burray	391	252	1637
South Ronaldsay	6555	6200	7400
Hoy & Walls	468	1890	2045
Flotta	n/c	n/c	401
TOTALS	77513	70733	80744

Other goose species
recorded

	Pink-footed Goose	Tundra Bean Goose	European W-f Goose	G’l’d W-f Goose	Barnacle Goose	P-b Brent
North Ronaldsay		6	67	1
Sanday	2		10
Westray	1
Papa Westray		2	2		11	3
Eday	30
Stronsay	7		47
Shapinsay	494
West Mainland	1982		49	56	22
East Mainland	1938		75			1
Burray
South Ronaldsay					290
Hoy & Walls					1852
TOTALS	4454	8	250	57	2175	4

The numbers of Greylags are not that surprising given the increasing ‘resident’ and wintering Icelandic populations. However, the numbers of Eurasian White-fronted geese is a reflection of the large numbers that arrived unusually in the UK in early winter, along with some Bean Geese from the continent.

Eurasian White-fronted Goose – Photo - Morris Rendall

The Pink-footed goose number of 4,454 shows that greater numbers of this species are using Orkney as a stopover enroute back north to Iceland. About a third of that number winter on Orkney currently.

Greylag Geese – A collared family group near Marwick. Photo - Morris Rendall

During the past four years members of Orkney Ringing Group have been marking some of the ‘resident’ Greylags with orange neck collars to monitor movements, productivity and build up individual life histories, so far over 500 have been marked. Given the issues/conflicts with this species it is hoped by marking some of the population we will learn more about them and hopefully inform future debates on management of the species. Approx. 95% of Greylags marked stay within 5km of their breeding/natal areas. What we did not expect was an annual winter migration of birds bred or breeding on Orkney to winter in East Anglia! For the fourth winter in a row a small number (five in 2011/12) have been seen down south and just this evening I have had another report of a bird in the Loch Lomond area with 100 Greenland White-fronted Geese! Interesting stuff...

Orkney

Short-eared Owl out hunting

Posted over 1 year ago

by Pauline Wilson
- 0 Comments
Orkney Local Group member Ian Cunningham took these stunning photos of a Short-eared Owl out looking for prey:

Orkney

March, 2012

Orkney

2012 Winter Bird Race

March 19th - Latest Happenings

Three Birds from Ian

Orkney Goose Census – February 2012

Short-eared Owl out hunting