We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will see plenty of marine life this year!…

Even though we know Otters aren’t marine we would like to tell you that whilst Roger was out fishing back in March one evening he was accompanied by 2 adult Otters over Finstown way. They were in & out of the water & he had some great views but sadly no photographs! 

5th April - A pod of Orcas were seen in Eynhallow sound, Evie

Update - we had a phone call from our neighbour who said he had something of ours…click on the duckling photo & see..aaaahhh!!

Well the sun is shining as I type this but it is chilly for May!

Wildlife & Island news

However, the island is bubbling & singing it’s spring tune. I heard my first Lark back in February this year which is always a sure thing that things are changing. I think that has to be one of the most wondeful birdsongs! It always raises your spirits. We actually went to the cathedral on sunday & enjoyed Camerata playing a themed concert on birds in conjunction with the RSPB. They played The Lark ascending which was truly stunning!

The Oyster catchers & Curlews are bubbling & whistling away constantly. The Lapwings are more in evidence now too. The busy sand martins are flitting about down on the beach beneath the house flying in & out of their homes. My favourite wader, the Ringed Plover is scuttling about the tideline always busy! They  are very terratorial & are amazingly brave when I walk with Selkie down there protecting their space..incredible. We haven’t seen a Puffin yet but have heard they are here. The Bonxies (great Skuas) are patroling the cliff edges already. We are seeing the Short eared owl more frequently too & enjoying them hovering over the nearby fields & then diving for their pray. We actually watched 3 at once last month. The hen harriers are more prominent again too. The lovely Wheatears are flitting about the dry stone walls & perching on the fence posts enjoying the sun.   

It is quiet on the marine mammal front at the moment but there were a couple of sightings of Orcas back in April… Roger was lucky enough to see 2 Otters when he was fishing back in April so he was excited about that! He had good close views of them in & out of the water.  

Craiglands

Well I managed to get my tatties planted at the beginning of May this year as it was so warm & sunny. I also sowed salad & spinach crops & they are coming up already i noticed today. Broad beans & courgettes started to take over our kitchen & have now been put to the greenhouse! Hopefully I will be planting those out the first week of June. I always sow wildflower seeds now in various places around the garden & they too are appearing..they really put on a colourful display throughout the summer. so fingers crossed for a lovely summer this year.

One of our ducks disappeared & took up residence in my green house due to it having glass missing & she has a nest with 10 eggs in it! So anytime now she will hatch those beautiful fluffy ducklings that everyone adores. So I’m sure there will be some photos soon.

I am busy preparing for The Orkney Folk Festival which is just over a week away! If you happen to be here between the 26th-29th May in Stromness be sure to catch something. More info is availabale at www.orkneyfolkfestival.com I am performing on the saturday night in the Festival Club, Stromness hotel. I have a new line-up; still Graham Simpson on guitar but Kathie Touin originally from California has joined me on keyboard. This change has given my current songs a fresh new sound & we have added some new material so come & hear us if you can?! 

Fluke News  

We have been busy preparing some new pieces of jewellery to be added to our website & updating it slightly. We hope these new updates will be live by the end of the week. Roger has made several new pieces including a Kudos seahorse brooch & pendant, charms, Limpet shell jewellery which has been added to our popular Groatie Buckie collection & more. Have a look at the weekend…

We are sure you are all busy too with your Spring jobs..it seems to be such a busy time of year for everybody. Hopefully we will see some of you over the coming months..

Until next time keep well & happy.

Jo & Roger

Cornflowers…the colours of summer to come..