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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.
U3A BIRDIE GROUP July 2015
by Liz Lea - 19:37 on 15 July 2015
Eleven of us walked from Northside, Birsay round the coast to the cemetery. As we approached the start it was obvious Birsay was enduring a downpour, but things brightened up fairly rapidly and for the most part we walked under blue skies. Towards the end it was even hottish!
The flowers along the cliff tops were spectacular and we managed to see 34 species of birds. What was particularly pleasing were the number of young chicks we were able to spot (oystercatcher, arctic terns, eider) and an oystercatcher's nest with 4 eggs.We also answered the question of "where do skylarks nest" by watching a bird in a newly cut field of silage gathering a great beak full of grubs and then edge ever closer to the tumps of grass at the field margin where it disappeared ,emerging with an empty beak a few moments later. But none of us knew where Pied wagtails nest (when they are not under car bonnets): there were hoards of families along the beach below Birsay tea rooms, so perhaps we could try some simple research to settle this enigma if we are ever back that way when the birds are nest building.
Altogether a very enjoyable morning, interrupted by a pit- stop break at the Birsay Stores.
Liz
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