April offers the tail end of winter wildlife, with the excitement of the very start of spring migration and a fresh, breezy look at the habitats of Papay as the soil slowly begins to warm and the short summer is in the offing.

This is a seasonal look at the island, at the best time for seeing Great Northern Divers and Tysties coming into summer plumage, and as the Long-tailed Duck numbers start to build up. Wildfowl will be moving north. The first Bonxies (Great Skuas) will be arriving to prospect their breeding territories on North Hill and Sandwich Terns arrive back at their colony this month.

As a time of change, this season always offers the chance of surprises, alongside the promise of our year-round residents, from Eiders and Rock Pipits to Common & Grey Seals. No aspect of wildlife will be ignored, so anything is possible, from Otters to cetaceans, and expertise will be on hand to look at everything from lichens to the inhabitants of the

The very first spring flowers should be coming into bloom. The leaf rosettes of Primula scotica (Scottish Primrose) should be on show. Mosses will be showing fresh growth, and annual plants will be sprouting to fill their short-lived niches.

Papa Westray is small and perfectly-formed. It has treasures to be found on every day of the year. Come and join us for a celebration of the very beginning of spring.

Each evening there will be talks on seasonal wildlife and identification sessions. We will also keep an eye on the skies, which are still nice and dark in April, in case the ‘merry dancers’ (Aurora Borealis) make an appearance.

Price: £495 per person. £50 Single Supplement.

For further information and booking please contact Jonathan Ford (Papay Ranger).

Tel – 01856 252028. Email – papayranger@gmail.com Facebook – papay ranger.