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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.
BIRD WATCHING GROUP - SEPTEMBER 2014
by Liz Lea - 09:52 on 21 September 2014
Rod Thorne, the Sanday ranger and Evan Williams of the Sanday Tusday Club overcame our little local difficulty of wanting to visit their island on a Wednesday when no minibus is available. If we could come on either Monday 15th or Friday 19th, things could be arranged, they said. When consulted, the bird-watchers divided neatly into two viable groups and Rod & Evan were generous enough to give up their time to take us around on BOTH days.
We had a great time! The weather, though grey, remained dry and over the two days the total number if species seen was 63. On the Monday, Rod's "bird of the day" were 2 red-throated divers off Whitemill point but the group was as excited by the huge numbers of grey plover, some still sporting their handsome summer plumage, at Catasand. On the Friday, due to easterly weather, there were more migrants about and we saw 4 birds of prey: a spectacular view of a short eared owl: and a fine piece of theatre between 2 ravens and a buzzard who were contesting 6 feet of wall space! We had close views of 5 knot all showing different remnants of their brick red summer breasts and our first field fare of the winter was close enough to the bus to get really good views.
Our thanks go to Rod and his wonderful telescope; to Evan for fixing the hire of the bus and taking us here, there and everywhere with such great good humour; to the brand new heritage centre, so warm and informative (do not miss this place if you visit the island!); and to Mrs Rod Thorne for her home-bakes .
Liz
Photograph by Judy O'Connor
Photograph by David Appleton
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