Friday 16th May
Springtime on RSPB Onziebust - FULL
Where: Onziebust, Egilsay
Meet: Egilsay pier 9.30am
When: Friday 16th May
With: RSPB Orkney
Site Information: The event will involve mainly walking on roads and tracks with and short walks through fields on rougher ground.
Cost: Free event but donations welcome
Booking Required: Yes, contact Vicky Anderson - [email protected] to reserve your place. (12 places maximum). Make sure you book yourself onto the 0820 ferry from Tingwall and the 1655 return journey.
Contact: Vicky Anderson
Join staff at RSPB Onziebust Farm Nature Reserve for a behind the scenes look at our nature friendly farming operation on the island of Egilsay. This year, the event will focus on how we are planning to enhance our wildflower areas and the development of a wildflower nursery on Onziebust. We will meet at Egilsay pier at 0930 for a walk through the island to look at various aspects of the reserve operation. It is of course also the bird breeding season and there will also be plenty of opportunity to enjoy up to 250 pairs of breeding wading birds on the reserve including Teeicks and Whaaps. it’s a springtime wildlife spectacle not to be missed. At the end of the day, after the event there will probably be a couple of hours spare to explore the rest of the island, eg the east beach and/or St Magnus Church. Bring a packed lunch, hot drinks and plenty of warm and waterproof clothing.
Stoat detection techniques- cutting edge solutions to natural issues 
Where: Brodgar
Hoy Heritage Walk
Where: Hoy
Meet: 10.30am Moaness Pier
When: Friday 16th May 10.30am
With: Hoy Heritage
Cost: £15 per person includes bus, tea and cake.
Booking Required: Yes, spaces limited to 8 - [email protected] or call 07742908975.
Contact: [email protected] or call 07742 908975
A walk through the Rackwick valley hosted by Hoy Heritage Centre. Join ramblers Marion and Iain Talbot for a walk from Sandy Loch to Rackwick. If you are coming from out with Hoy, take the 10am ferry from Stromness to Moaness (Ferry ticket not included - book through Orkney Ferries) otherwise meet at Moaness Pier at 10:30. You will be driven to Sandy Loch then a leisurely 2 hour walk through the valley with time at Rackwick beach before being collected by bus and taken to Hoy Heritage Centre for a cup of tea and cake with a chance to peruse the natural history library before the 4:30pm ferry arriving back in Stromness at 5pm. Bring a packed lunch.
Orkney Nature Festival Ceramics Workshop - FULL
Where: Orkney Creative Hub, Garrison Road, Kirkwall
Meet: Orkney Creative Hub
When: Friday 16th May 10.30am to 12.30pm
With: Robin Palmer Ceramics
Cost: £35 pp
Booking Required: Yes
Contact: Robin Palmer - [email protected]
Join Robin Palmer at his pottery studio in Kirkwall to try your hand at making textured pots inspired by nature. The workshop will last for 2 hours. For more information and to book, please contact Robin direct on the email above.
Orkney Needle Felting
Where: Orkney Creative Hub, 25 Bridge Street, Kirkwall
When: Friday 16th May 1.30pm to 3.30pm
With: Orkney Creative Hub/No 25
Cost: £10
Booking Required: Yes https://buytickets.at/orkneycreativehub/1675205
Contact: [email protected]
Join us creating either a standing stone flat pictures, puffin, seal, orca, or sheep. Other ideas welcome.
Raymond Besant – Wildlife Photography Talk - FULL
Where: St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall
When: Friday 16th May 7pm
With: Raymond Besant
Cost: £5
Booking Required: Yes https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raymon-besant-wildlife-photography-tickets-1333928990519?aff=oddtdtcreator
Candle Making Workshop
Where: Moonshine Candle Workshop, Kirkwall
Meet: Address will be emailed at time of booking
When: Thursday 15th May 7pm & Friday 16th May 2pm
With: Moonshine Candles
Cost: £35pp
Booking Required: Yes https://moonshinecandleco.com/collections/workshops
Catherine’s candles use 100% natural, non-toxic soy wax and plant-based wicks, making them an eco-friendly and sustainable craft. Come along and make candles with nature-inspired scents, using blends that capture the essence of the outdoors—think coastal blooms, woodland warmth, and Orkney sea salt. Scents are carefully selected to reflect Orkneys landscapes, helping participants create candles that bring a piece of nature into their own spaces through scent, highlighting how scent can deepen our connection to the environment.
Species on the Edge Bat Night with Tim Dean
Where: Firth park community garden, Heddle Road, Finstown (behind Firth Kirk) what3words location: ///scrolled.inhaled.coaster
Meet: Firth park community garden
Car parking: Firth Church car park (access from Heddle Road). Car park on A965 (by the toilets)
When: Friday 16th May 9.30-11pm
With: Species on the Edge Orkney and local bat enthusiast Tim Dean
Age: All welcome – anyone under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Dogs: Assistance dogs only
Cost: Free
Booking: Not required
Contact: [email protected]
Join Species on the Edge and local bat enthusiast Tim Dean for a late evening bat night in Finstown. Drop by to find out about Orkney’s bats and have a go at using a bat detector. Wrap up warm and bring a torch!
This event is being run by Species on the Edge, an exciting partnership programme of NatureScot and seven nature conservation charities, all dedicated to improving the fortunes of 37 priority species found along Scotland's coast and islands. Find out more here: www.speciesontheedge.co.uk.