Orkney's avian marvels
Orkney’s birdlife is not only diverse but also includes a few species that have become iconic to the region.
It’s renowned for its cliffs teeming with seabirds, creating one of the UK’s most impressive avian spectacles. These include the guillemot, razorbill and kittiwake. The charismatic Atlantic puffin, with its colourful bill, is a summer visitor, nesting in burrows on cliff-tops.
The hen harrier, a bird of prey, thrives in Orkney, with its soft, buoyant flight making it a delightful sight over the moorlands. Additionally, short-eared owls can frequently be spotted hunting during daylight hours, a rare treat for many bird enthusiasts.
Orkney’s wetlands and lochs attract a myriad of these species. The curlew, with its haunting call, and the red-throated diver, known for its eerie, melancholic cry, are just two of the wildfowl that grace its freshwaters.
Given its position, Orkney serves as a stopover for many migratory birds. Spring and autumn are particularly exciting for birdwatchers as species such as the whooper swan and various species of geese touch down.