News and Wildlife Sightings

Please be aware that one of the North Isles ferries is out of action. The timetable has been changed, with the remaining two ships offering a more limited service. This disruption will severely affect passenger and vehicle transport to and from Westray, especially on Saturday as there is no Westray ferry on Saturday morning. There …read more

Westray Connections 2102 saw a variety of musicians of all ages and styles performing in venues across Westray  with a concert and dance in the school hall on Saturday evening. It was a great success and we hope that this year will be the same. The date for Westray Connections this year will be Saturday …read more

AAKnowledge weekend in Papa Westray, Orkney, commemorating Britain’s last breeding pair of great auks. A long weekend of activities on Papa Westray over 17th – 19th May 2013, organised by the Papay Community Association. AAKnowledge Concert: 17th May 7:30pm ’til late Farmers Market, Kelp Store: 18th May 11am – 2pm   Boat Trip(s) to Fowl …read more

The puffins have arrived at The Castle O’Burrian. Spotted on the 14th April this marks the start of this years Puffin season at Westray’s most popular puffin watching spot. A pair of pintails wetre also spotted at Broughton.

A day exploring the spectacular seabird colonies on the wonderful island of Westray. The day will include guided walks to the Castle of Burrian puffin colony, an open day at the RSPB’s Noup Head reserve and a boat tour of the stunning seabird cliffs below. For the full day’s events for Saturday 11th and booking …read more

Another general Orkney post about a new online magazine dedicated to the Orkney Science Festival, which highlights Orkney in general, as well as containing stories of science and people. You can see the first issue with stories from Papay, North Ronaldsay, Sanday and Stronsay, new insights into the Ring of Brodgar, a story from Skaill …read more

Not news about Westray or Papa Westray as susch but hopefully useful to any visitors all the same. Orkney Nature Festival Saturday 11th May – Sunday 19th May 2013 Orkney’s first festival dedicated to celebrating our amazing island wildlife.  The 9 day programme of events includes boat trips, guided walks, bird watching by horse & carriage, …read more

Hen Harrier – 1 ringtail (female or juvenile) seen flying north over Papa Westray on 12th, with another seen on 25th. Kestrel – 1 flying north-east over Papa Westray on 18th. Merlin – 1 seen by Tim Dodman at the south end of Papay on 18th. Corncrake – 1 male heard calling between Nouster and …read more

The breeding season is now officially over, for the seabirds anyway, so I can officially reveal that most of the seabird species that breed on the North Hill RSPB reserve on Papa Westray and on the Noup Cliffs RSPB reserve on Westray have had a relatively good season! Despite returning to Papay and Westray in …read more

Sandwich Tern – 1 juvenile seen in cut silage field near North Rendall, Papa Westray on 16th plus 6 juveniles seen at Wellpark, Papa Westray on 25th. Dunlin – 21 at North Wick, Papa Westray on 25th. 300+ at Loch of Swartmill, Westray on 29th. Sanderling – 2 at North Wick, Papay on 4th. Purple …read more