Some Orkney Wildlife

There’s a lot of wildlife on Orkney and I have a lot of dreadful photographs, so I apologise in advance, but they’ll give you the general idea. I hope.

We watched a lot of hares from the windows of the house

It’s a seal, not a rock

Definitely not rocks!

This is an arctic tern

Another one with a fish!

A juvenile common gull (I've been told. Not so exciting...)Another juvenile common gull, sadlyA meadow lark with a nice juicy green caterpillar in it’s beak

   Fulmar and chick. There were lots and lots of theseThis beautiful little puffin knew he was being watched

RazorbillBlack guillemot

Kittiwake, I think, but I haven’t taken a closer look yet

  Butterflies are not my strong point, but I think this is a painted lady

Magpie moth

Caterpillar of what I have no idea, but it was huge!

Jelly fish, in a loch?

Grass of Parnassus

Orchid

  Another orchid

Northern marsh, early marsh, maybe a cross? They were all a bit past it, so it was hard to tell for someone without expertise.

Lousewort amongst crowberry

Yellow rattle

And my favourite sightings, but worst photographs…

Trust me, it is a short eared owl

This is a hen harrier

Yes, it is. It’s a female hen harrier and we saw lots of males and females all over the island, including from our lounge and kitchen windows.

I didn’t manage to photograph the otter at all, but it’s long since been my ambition to see one and I was delighted!