Papay: Nature

The North Hill RSPB Reserve includes one of the largest areas of maritime heath in the UK and supports a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

North Hill is managed by the RSPB in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and the people of Papa Westray. Because of its importance for wildlife, it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area.

Visiting North Hill

North Hill is located at the northern tip of Papa Westray and is open at all times with free entry. You can either explore the reserve at your own pace or (in summer) join a guided tour with the warden.

During the breeding season (spring and summer), please keep to the coastline and stay well away from the tern colonies. We would prefer dogs to be kept off the reserve at this time of year; if you do bring a dog, it must be kept on a lead.

Bird News for North Hill and Noup Cliffs – June/July 2012

The number of Gannets nesting at the RSPB’s Noup Cliffs reserve on Westray has once again increased to a whopping 623 nests! Considering that Gannets only started nesting on this reserve in 2003, that’s a pretty impressive increase in a relatively short amount of time. Most of these breeding pairs now have small, fluffy white […]

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June Wildlife Sighting 2012

Whooper Swan – 1 dead discovered near Mull Head on 5th. Greylag Goose – 55 broods plus 182 non-breeding adults counted at St Tredwell’s Loch on 21st. Barnacle Goose – 1 seen on St Tredwell’s Loch by Tim on 2nd. 2 seen in field near Cuppin farm on 7th. Shelduck – Pair with 10 young […]

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