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Walking Group One 25th April 2024
Five hardy souls collected today at Happy Valley for the first Hill Walk of the year .The temperature was cool with a North Easterly wind blowing and a hint of rain on arrival.
Off we set heading towards Russadale Quarry, spotting a Buzzard on the way.Turning into the footpath we remained sheltered from the wind all the way to the top of the hill.
The sun was out at the Quarry and a Greenshank was feeding at the edge of the Lochan. Then it was up the Peat road to the summit with spectacular views across Stenness and Harray Lochs, plus a view of the Closed Road beyond the Watch Stone. On the other side we looked over the Flow and down towards the Oil Platform and South Ronaldsay
Then it was back down after a stop for a snack and finally a walk around Happy Valley itself. The Daffodils planted by James and others were looking lovely and the Bluebells are days away from opening. Then it was on to a well deserved lunch at the Pier Cafe, having walked 4 miles and gone up 800 feet (and down again )
The next walk will be on Friday 24th May and hopefully more hills and views.
Keep moving.
Birdie Group Oct 2015
by Jack MacInnes - 08:15 on 22 October 2015
Not in fact with birds as the primary objective this time but grey seals, as this is an annual tradition to witness the pupping. We set off from Burwick and in bracing conditions made our way round to the geos on the west side of South Ronaldsay.
There was some initial apprehension that the geos were unoccupied but soon well camouflaged mothers and pups were being seen in numbers and we continued on past Barth Head to the Shortie Geo before turning back. Mothers give birth to a single white coated pup of around 12kgs. which grows within a month to 40 - 45kgs. thanks to enormously rich milk. The females then mate as soon as the pup is weaned and all head off to sea.
Birds were also seen, gannets plunging to fish, shags and cormorants, blackbacks, rock pippets and meadow pippets, migrating redwing and an unidentified thrush ( time to look at the books ).
Thanks to all who braved the conditions and made a cheerful few hours with good exercise.
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