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orknithology.bsky.social
Orknithology
@orknithology.bsky.social
290 followers 170 following 140 posts
Birds, other wildlife, and scenery from the Orkney Islands. All images are ©️ Orknithology.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology 🪶 #Nikon #P1000
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orknithology.bsky.social
"Watery Pleeps"

For #twosday, two Common Redshanks (Tringa totanus) paddling just off the shore at Scapa, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Redshank 🪶
These Common Redshanks are in their winter plumage, with light-toned greyish-brown head and upper parts, whitish under parts, and long orangey-red legs. Their dark brown eyes are surrounded by a white ring, and their long slender bill is orangey-red with a black tip.
December 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Mussel-bound"

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) with some kind of Mussel, on the shore at Scapa, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #HoodedCrow #crow #corvid 🪶
This Hooded Crow was foraging for fruits de mer among seaweed on the rocky shore, and is holding a large barnacle-covered Mussel in its brak. The bird is viewed from the side, facing to the viewer's right. It has an ashy grey body with black head, throat, wings, and tail, as well as a black bill, eyes, legs, and feet.
December 8, 2025 at 11:10 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Grabba Dab-ba Doo!"

drake Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) with its Common Dab (Limanda limanda) prey, in Scapa Bay, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #duck 🪶
This drake Long-tailed Duck is in its winter plumage. Its head is mostly white with a dark smudge/patch around the eyes, and a dark bill with a distinctive pink band. Its body is mainly white with grey/black on the back and wings, and it has a very long, slender black tail. It is holding an aquatic snack of a small Common Dab flatfish in its bill.
December 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Cowled Corvid"

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #HoodedCrow #crow #corvid 🪶
This Hooded Crow is perching on a Sycamore branch, viewed from behind with its head turned to look back over its right shoulder. It has an ashy grey body with black head, throat, wings, and tail, as well as a black bill, eyes, and feet.
December 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Ripit Up and Start Again"

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) catching the sun up Wideford Hill, #Orkney.
(Thanks to @stevedudley.bsky.social for correcting my erroneous ID of Mipit).

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #birdsoftheworld #RockPipit 🪶
This Rock Pipit is perching on a horizontal scaffolding pole facing to the viewer's left, its slender pointed bill slightly raised. Its streaky yellow-brown chest and pinky-brown legs are catching the sunshine, and there is a catchlight in its left eye. The background is a light grey-blue sky.
November 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Everything's Gonna Be All White"

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) near Mid Hill, Firth, #Orkney, yesterday.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #SnowBunting 🪶
This Snow Bunting has brownish upper-parts with black streaks; its crown, sides of the head, and breast have a yellow-brown tinge. The rest of its underparts are bright white, its legs are black, and its bill is yellow.
November 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Arch Eye the Noo"

a Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) in the gloaming at the Brig o' Waithe, near Stromness, #Orkney. If you look closely, two of the arches of the bridge are reflected in the seal's left eye.

#UKWildlife #Wildlife #UKNature #Nature #UKMammal #Mammal #Selkie #Seal
The head of Common Seal emerging from the deep blue, sunset-tinged water of the Loch of Stenness. It is facing side-on to the viewer's left, with two of the three arches of the Brig o' Waithe reflecting in its left eye.
November 13, 2025 at 8:41 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"(Standin' On) The Dock of a Bay"

Common Guillemot (Uria aalge) on the slip at Scapa Pier, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Guillemot 🪶
This Common Guillemot has a dark chocolate-brown head and back, a white underside, and a sleek, dumpy body. It has a long, slender bill, and this individual is "bridled," showing a white line around the eye extending to the neck. It is standing upright, in Penguin-like fashion, on a concrete slip from where boats are launched. 
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Fish Served on a Bed of Seaweed"

a foam-covered Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) that had just come ashore with a flatfish meal, at a gloomy Loch of Stenness, #Orkney, on Saturday.

#UKWildlife #Wildlife #UKNature #Nature #UKMammal #Mammal #Otter
November 11, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Orknithology
74frankfurt.bsky.social
Holiday cruises to Orkney & Shetland from Leith and Aberdeen, 1930s.
November 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Pop-up Chat"

male Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Stonechat 🪶
A male Stonechat perching on a twig at the top of Fuchsia hedge. He has a striking black head with white around the side of his neck, and an orange-red breast. He is facing front-on with his head cocked to the viewer's right, the sun is catching his right eye, and he is framed against a blurred-out grassy-green background.
November 7, 2025 at 9:09 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
👇👀
orkneyology.bsky.social Orkneyology @orkneyology.bsky.social · Nov 5
On this full frost moon our guest is Sally Magnusson! Join Tom Muir and Sally Magnusson for a fascinating blether on the eve of the Stromness launch of her latest novel, set in Orkney.
Orkneyology: www.orkneyology.com/orkneyology-...
Youtube: youtu.be/47tMPOX6l2A?...
Spotify: rebrand.ly/tusgi
November 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Hawk-eyed"

male Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Sparrowhawk 🪶
The male Sparrowhawk has a bluish-grey head, back, and wings, and an orangey-brown stripey throat, chest, and belly. It is perching amongst the bare branches of a Sycamore tree, surveying for its next prey opportunity.
November 5, 2025 at 8:12 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Fare's Fair"

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Fieldfare 🪶
The Fieldfare has a chestnut-brown back and yellowy breast, streaked with black. It has a black tail, dark wings and pale grey rump and head.
November 2, 2025 at 1:59 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"The Hunt For Red Oxter Over"

finally managed my first photo of a Redwing (Turdus iliacus) this autumn, at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #redwing 🪶
The Redwing has a plain brown back, creamy white underparts with elongated brown spots, and red flanks and underwing. Another striking feature is the creamy white stripe above each eye.
October 31, 2025 at 7:17 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Owl Along the Watchtower"

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) roosting in my trees at Grimbister, #Orkney, on Monday night (going by its orangey eyes, white V on face, size, and perch height).

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Long-eared #Owl 🪶 🦉
Night-time photo of what I believe to be a Long-eared Owl in a bare-branched Sycamore tree.
October 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Flaming Heck!"

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) at Grimbister, #Orkney, this morning. The first one I have ever seen.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Firecrest 🪶
The Firecrest is Europe's joint-smallest bird (along with the Goldcrest). It has an olive-green back, a white belly, bronze-coloured shoulders, and a black and white eye-stripe. The crown of the head has an orangey-yellow and black stripe from bact to front.
October 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Camera Shy"

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) peering out from behind an autumnal Sycamore leaf, at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Goldcrest 🪶
The Goldcrest is Europe's joint-smallest bird (along with the Firecrest). They have dull greyish-green upper parts, with a pale belly and a black and yellow stripe on their heads. The pictured bird was energetically hunting for invertebrates amongst the trees and shrubs, making it difficult to get a bead on it with the camera.
October 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Ginger Nut"

female Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) at Grimbister, #Orkney, on Tuesday.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Blackcap 🪶
The female Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) is a grey warbler, similar in size to a Eurasian Robin. It has a distinctive chestnut brown cap, pale grey underparts, and pale brownish-grey upperparts. It is seen here perching in a leafless Rowan tree.
October 23, 2025 at 8:12 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Small, Dark & Handsome"

male Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) at Grimbister, #Orkney, yesterday.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Blackcap 🪶
The male Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) is a grey warbler, similar in size to a Eurasian Robin. It has a distinctive black cap, pale grey underparts, and brownish-grey upperparts. It is seen here standing on a green grassy surface.
October 22, 2025 at 7:18 PM
orknithology.bsky.social
"Look! No Hands!"

Poplar Hawk Moth catterpillar near Mid Hill, Firth, #Orkney.

#lepidoptera #TeamMoth #nature #wildlife #PoplarHawkMoth 🐛
The Poplar hawk moth caterpillar is a large, chunky, vibrant green insect with a characteristic yellow tail horn and diagonal yellow stripes that have small pink spots between them. It was working it's way along a small branch, consuming leaves as it went along. In this photo it is hanging upside down from its rear "feet", with its front half free of contact.
September 20, 2025 at 6:57 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"I Love You (Even Though You're Boring)"

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) at Grimbister, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #GardenWarbler 🪶
The garden warbler is a plain, sandy-grey warbler, with a pale grey neck and pale underparts, and bluish-grey feet. It is perching on a stone birdbath underneath a hedge. Described by the RSPB as "A plain warbler with no distinguishing features," and having the Latin name "Sylvia borin," this species is often considered to be boring, but I love them!
September 11, 2025 at 7:38 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"I Wanna Hebe Adored"

Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) nectaring on a Hebe bush at Scapa, #Orkney.

🦋 #butterfly #flutterby #insect #lepidoptera #TeamMoth #nature #wildlife #RedAdmiral
The red admiral is a large, black and red butterfly with white spots on its black forewings and a striking red band on both fore and hindwings. It is nectaring on a purple flower head of a Hebe bush.
September 10, 2025 at 7:47 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"She Be on a Hebe"

Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) nectaring on a Hebe bush at Scapa, #Orkney.

🦋 #butterfly #flutterby #insect #lepidoptera #TeamMoth #nature #wildlife #PaintedLady
The Painted Lady is a medium-to-large orange-brown butterfly with forewings that have black tips marked with white spots; the hindwings have rows of black spots. It is nectaring on a purple flower head of a Hebe bush.
September 9, 2025 at 8:06 AM
orknithology.bsky.social
"If You Go Dun to the Weeds Today, You're Sure of a Big Surprise"

Dunlin wading among seaweed at Scapa, #Orkney.

#OrkneyBirding #BirdingScotland #UKBirds #UKBirding #Birds #Wildlife #UKWildlife #Nature #Photography #birdsoftheworld #ornithology #Dunlin #wader🪶
September 4, 2025 at 6:25 PM