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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.

Orkney U3A Botany Group - May 2022 (2)

by Kate - 08:32 on 04 June 2022

Eight of us gathered at the Broch of Gurness car park on a lovely bright sunny afternoon on the last day of May 2022. The group consisted of eight of our members: Kate, Sue, Ian, Caroline, Merrin, Graham, Jenny and Rosey.

Our walk was up to the aeolianite rock - a site of particular interest. Climbing the stile - some of us with the help of gallant Ian - we entered the site of specific interest. It did not disappoint!

We were greeted by a host of lemon, gold cowslips. It was warm, the deep moss at the lower end soaking in the sunshine and everything seemed to be breathing in the warmth and loveliness - including ourselves. We were accompanied by continual larks’ song and the whole experience could not but appeal to all our senses!

Beside us as we studied was a lovely field of daisies. On the rock many plants seem so diminutive. They grow very close to the ground. Identifying was done best at close quarters by squatting - giving me a good excuse to lie down!

All in all we had a most enjoyable visit. There was no sign of moonwort or fairy flax as noted on a previous visit on 11.6.19. This was attributed to the recent cold spell plus the very few, yet vital, days of warmth and sunshine we have had.

We hope for many more to come!

  • primrose
  • daisy
  • meadow
  • buttercup
  • Red campion
  • Cow parsley
  • Charlock
  • Creeping thistle
  • Meadow vetchling
  • Horsetail
  • Birdsfoot trefoil
  • Ribwort plantain
  • grass - cocksfoot
  • Red fescue
  • Ribwort plantain
  • Early marsh orchid
  • Northern bedstraw
  • Mouse-ear hawkweed
  • Dog Violet
  • Northern marsh orchid
  • Sea plantain
  • Dune pansy
  • Glaucous sedge
  • Carnation sedge
  • Yarrow
  • Mouse-ear
  • Self heal
  • Bulbous buttercup
  • Hogweed
  • Cuckoo flower ( lady’s smock)
  • Meadowsweet
  • Angelica
  • Plus a large amount of butter burr (Some debate as to whether colts foot or butter burr. We decided the indentation of leaf at the stem was the deciding factor.)

Plant Identification

Cowslips

Mousear Hawkweed

Northern Marsh Orchid


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