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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 May 2016
by Ken O'Connor - 18:11 on 18 May 2016
Hi Everyone. I think today's outing will have to go down as one of our least successful. The weather certainly did not help with it being cold NNE wind with driving light rain and a very low cloud base, the combination could not have been worse for viewing birds. However, seven of us ventured to Cottersgarth Hide for an hour and despite not seeing anything unusual we did see starlings getting feed for their young.
On up to Burger Hide where by this time the weather had stopped raining and we were able to view the Great Northern Divers (3) on the loch along with the Oystercatchers fighting off a few great Skuas (Bonxie) and the gray lags nesting away on the moor.
All was not lost as we did see tufted and eider ducks, meadow pipits, and two ravens, curlews, sparrows, also sea gulls.
Never mind; on the 15th June Tom will, I am sure, manage to find us some good viewing when he takes us to Grimness, so will be in touch nearer the time with details of where to meet.
Ken
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