Pretty much dawn til dusk in the field after yday’s winds and with decent reward with an all-too-brief isle first Citrine Wagtail, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Redstart, 40 Brambling, 5 Chaffinch, 10+ Robin, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff plus Wheatears and thrushes. #WestrayBirding #PWC2026
October 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Pretty much dawn til dusk in the field after yday’s winds and with decent reward with an all-too-brief isle first Citrine Wagtail, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Redstart, 40 Brambling, 5 Chaffinch, 10+ Robin, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff plus Wheatears and thrushes. #WestrayBirding #PWC2026
Nothing mega but at least I had birds! These are three of the four Yellow-broweds found today (our second wave of the autumn), plus Garden and Willow warblers, Blackcaps, several Robins, a couple of Sparrowhawks and 61 Pink-feet. A reasonable days #WestrayBirding in glorious sunshine.
#UKbirding
#UKbirding
October 3, 2024 at 7:56 PM
Nothing mega but at least I had birds! These are three of the four Yellow-broweds found today (our second wave of the autumn), plus Garden and Willow warblers, Blackcaps, several Robins, a couple of Sparrowhawks and 61 Pink-feet. A reasonable days #WestrayBirding in glorious sunshine.
#UKbirding
#UKbirding
Fewer migrants around today with a clear out of thrushes and Wheatears but plenty of Brambling still and two new Yellow-browed Warblers in the three seen today (making five in two days). #WestrayBirding
October 2, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Fewer migrants around today with a clear out of thrushes and Wheatears but plenty of Brambling still and two new Yellow-browed Warblers in the three seen today (making five in two days). #WestrayBirding
It's a slightly grey, overcast day in #Orkney but #BookyMcBookface is away north on the ferry to deliver books to the people of Westray. 📚
If you're in Westray today then go and say hello 👋
If you're in Westray today then go and say hello 👋
May 6, 2026 at 10:20 AM
It's a slightly grey, overcast day in #Orkney but #BookyMcBookface is away north on the ferry to deliver books to the people of Westray. 📚
If you're in Westray today then go and say hello 👋
If you're in Westray today then go and say hello 👋
Camper van crack!
Greetings from Westray, The Orknies
Greetings from Westray, The Orknies
April 19, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Camper van crack!
Greetings from Westray, The Orknies
Greetings from Westray, The Orknies
5 Nov fireworks 💥 on Westray today! Not one, but two isle firsts! 🙅♂️ First up was Orkney's 11th Radde's Warbler (second this autumn and the latest ever recorded in the county) which was followed minutes later by a Firecrest - in the same bush! Pure #PatchGold! #PWC2025 #WestrayBirding
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
5 Nov fireworks 💥 on Westray today! Not one, but two isle firsts! 🙅♂️ First up was Orkney's 11th Radde's Warbler (second this autumn and the latest ever recorded in the county) which was followed minutes later by a Firecrest - in the same bush! Pure #PatchGold! #PWC2025 #WestrayBirding
Wind was still howling but rain let off some so I was out the door. A small arrival of Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds was immediately evident. A Whitethroat feeding along the lighthouse track with Meadow Pipits was novel. A Canada Goose (rare on Westray) stuck its head up! #WestrayBirding
September 30, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Wind was still howling but rain let off some so I was out the door. A small arrival of Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds was immediately evident. A Whitethroat feeding along the lighthouse track with Meadow Pipits was novel. A Canada Goose (rare on Westray) stuck its head up! #WestrayBirding
#BookyMcBookface is away on the ferry to the beautiful #Orkney island of Westray today.
Last winter we filmed a full day of travelling from the library to Westray, around the island, and back again. 12 and a half hours in 2 minutes. Hold on tight! 💨
Last winter we filmed a full day of travelling from the library to Westray, around the island, and back again. 12 and a half hours in 2 minutes. Hold on tight! 💨
September 10, 2025 at 9:25 AM
#BookyMcBookface is away on the ferry to the beautiful #Orkney island of Westray today.
Last winter we filmed a full day of travelling from the library to Westray, around the island, and back again. 12 and a half hours in 2 minutes. Hold on tight! 💨
Last winter we filmed a full day of travelling from the library to Westray, around the island, and back again. 12 and a half hours in 2 minutes. Hold on tight! 💨
Big Hole spotted on Westray, The Orkneys. Who does it better?
April 17, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Big Hole spotted on Westray, The Orkneys. Who does it better?
"Why? Just Beak-ause"
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Westray, #Orkney, in July.
For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BestBeaks.
#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirding #BirdsOfBluesky #BirdsSeenIn2026 #birdsoftheworld #Puffin #Auk 🪶
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Westray, #Orkney, in July.
For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BestBeaks.
#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirding #BirdsOfBluesky #BirdsSeenIn2026 #birdsoftheworld #Puffin #Auk 🪶
October 2, 2026 at 8:15 AM
"Why? Just Beak-ause"
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Westray, #Orkney, in July.
For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BestBeaks.
#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirding #BirdsOfBluesky #BirdsSeenIn2026 #birdsoftheworld #Puffin #Auk 🪶
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Westray, #Orkney, in July.
For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #BestBeaks.
#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirding #BirdsOfBluesky #BirdsSeenIn2026 #birdsoftheworld #Puffin #Auk 🪶
One of each twins for 8 year old Frisky in Westray
April 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
One of each twins for 8 year old Frisky in Westray
May 17, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Boom! 🙅🏻♂️ Or was it nearly 💥 as I nearly put the car into the fence when I spied this adult Franklin’s Gull on the putting green by the Westray Golf Course car park this morning! Seen briefly on 26/8 on North Ron, then from the house here on 15 Sept, where’s it been meantime? #WestrayBirding
October 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Boom! 🙅🏻♂️ Or was it nearly 💥 as I nearly put the car into the fence when I spied this adult Franklin’s Gull on the putting green by the Westray Golf Course car park this morning! Seen briefly on 26/8 on North Ron, then from the house here on 15 Sept, where’s it been meantime? #WestrayBirding
Holm of Papa Westray North: An Early Neolithic stalled chambered cairn at the northern tip of Holm of Papa Westray, the small islet lying east of Papa Westray, Orkney. Ancient DNA results published in 2026 by Prof.
June 8, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Holm of Papa Westray North: An Early Neolithic stalled chambered cairn at the northern tip of Holm of Papa Westray, the small islet lying east of Papa Westray, Orkney. Ancient DNA results published in 2026 by Prof.
Tis the Puffin season. And when it comes to Orkney Puffins, you’ll get no better Puffin experience than here in Westray at the Castle o’Burrian. Pics from yday evenings dusk visit. #WestrayBirding #seabirds
June 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Tis the Puffin season. And when it comes to Orkney Puffins, you’ll get no better Puffin experience than here in Westray at the Castle o’Burrian. Pics from yday evenings dusk visit. #WestrayBirding #seabirds
💥 Getting in to the car after my early morning efforts chasing a Golden Oriole when a large, pale warbler flew past me. Boom! 🙅🏻♂️ Great Reed Warbler! 🤯 With only five Orkney records, three of them pulled from mist nets on North Ron, GRW defo not on my radar. What a bird!
#WestrayBirding #PatchGold
#WestrayBirding #PatchGold
May 31, 2026 at 2:47 PM
💥 Getting in to the car after my early morning efforts chasing a Golden Oriole when a large, pale warbler flew past me. Boom! 🙅🏻♂️ Great Reed Warbler! 🤯 With only five Orkney records, three of them pulled from mist nets on North Ron, GRW defo not on my radar. What a bird!
#WestrayBirding #PatchGold
#WestrayBirding #PatchGold
#TombTuesday
Little is left of the cairn at Pierowall, Westray #Orkney, due to quarrying, but this ornately carved lintel stone did survive. Discovered in 1981 by a digger driver, it has similar carvings to those in the Boyne valley tombs, #Ireland. It is on display at the Westray museum 📸 mine.
Little is left of the cairn at Pierowall, Westray #Orkney, due to quarrying, but this ornately carved lintel stone did survive. Discovered in 1981 by a digger driver, it has similar carvings to those in the Boyne valley tombs, #Ireland. It is on display at the Westray museum 📸 mine.
March 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
#TombTuesday
Little is left of the cairn at Pierowall, Westray #Orkney, due to quarrying, but this ornately carved lintel stone did survive. Discovered in 1981 by a digger driver, it has similar carvings to those in the Boyne valley tombs, #Ireland. It is on display at the Westray museum 📸 mine.
Little is left of the cairn at Pierowall, Westray #Orkney, due to quarrying, but this ornately carved lintel stone did survive. Discovered in 1981 by a digger driver, it has similar carvings to those in the Boyne valley tombs, #Ireland. It is on display at the Westray museum 📸 mine.
More seabirds from today at Noup cliffs #WestrayBirding
May 26, 2025 at 8:51 PM
More seabirds from today at Noup cliffs #WestrayBirding
After only very brief views of the Radde's Warbler and Firecrest yday, this morning the sun shone, the insects emerged in their droves and out came the birds. Both of these gems performed brilliantly for a short while at least and one local managed to catch up with the Firecrest #WestrayBirding
November 7, 2025 at 6:44 PM
After only very brief views of the Radde's Warbler and Firecrest yday, this morning the sun shone, the insects emerged in their droves and out came the birds. Both of these gems performed brilliantly for a short while at least and one local managed to catch up with the Firecrest #WestrayBirding
The Shortest Commercial Flight Takes Less Than 2 Minutes: A flight between the Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray takes about 90 seconds.
random facts
random facts
December 13, 2024 at 5:31 PM
The Shortest Commercial Flight Takes Less Than 2 Minutes: A flight between the Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray takes about 90 seconds.
random facts
random facts
@papaybirder.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social Papa Westray Blue Cheeked Bee Eater.
July 16, 2026 at 10:56 PM
@papaybirder.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social Papa Westray Blue Cheeked Bee Eater.
Me and my life long friend Lorraine Westray
February 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Me and my life long friend Lorraine Westray
This Merlin was unusually obliging sat out in the warm September sun. #WestrayBirding
September 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This Merlin was unusually obliging sat out in the warm September sun. #WestrayBirding
They’re here! Waxwings started to arrive in Orkney yday afternoon (and more today) and one very obligingly landed, albeit too briefly, in our Westray garden early afternoon. As ever, the luck of looking anywhere at the precise second a bird appears never fails to stagger me! #WestrayBirding
October 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
They’re here! Waxwings started to arrive in Orkney yday afternoon (and more today) and one very obligingly landed, albeit too briefly, in our Westray garden early afternoon. As ever, the luck of looking anywhere at the precise second a bird appears never fails to stagger me! #WestrayBirding
The shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world is between the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray in northern Scotland.
The flight is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and takes around 1 minute!
But why does it exist?
The answer: brilliantmaps.com/shortest-...
The flight is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and takes around 1 minute!
But why does it exist?
The answer: brilliantmaps.com/shortest-...
September 29, 2026 at 1:01 AM
The shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world is between the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray in northern Scotland.
The flight is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and takes around 1 minute!
But why does it exist?
The answer: brilliantmaps.com/shortest-...
The flight is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and takes around 1 minute!
But why does it exist?
The answer: brilliantmaps.com/shortest-...