What joy it is to see our first swallows of the year (29th April this year) especially if we see them around our farm buildings, as we always hope they will come back to nest. The same day I was guided up our driveway by Wheatears.
Later that day Roger went fishing & saw his first Arctic terns & some swallows at Sandwick. On 4th May I was kept company by a swallow enjoying the evening sun whilst sitting on our washing line…
Orcas from Rousay in Eynhallow sound by Craig
Here are the first sightings of the year!
May 2010
Monday 10th - There was a pod of five Orcas consisting possibly of; 1 bull, 3 females & 1 immature. They were seen to kill & play with 2 seals over in Eynhallow sound, Evie. There have been several sightings of Orcas off Rousay, Shapinsay, Kirkwall recently.
Wednesday 12th - A pod of approx 4-5 Orcas seen working as a group & playing with 2 seals between 6pm-7pm off the Brough of Birsay.
Thursday 13th - a pod of at least 8 Orcas off Rerwick Head.
Wednesday 19th - a minke whale heading north towards highest point of Brough of Birsay, not far out of the Bay ( seen by Jo!)
Roger actually went over to the Broch & was able to enjoy them for a while.
Thursday 27th May – 9 Orcas seen between Hoy & mainland during the evening, within sight of shore – reported by a customer of ours.
Thursday 27th May – 5 Orcas seen in the flow near The lash at the end of Waulkmill Bay – thanks to Chris Booth
Saturday 29th May – 2 Orcas seen near Seal Skerry, North Ronaldsay during the evening for about 50 minutes, took a seal – reported by a visitor at the NRBO to Alison
Orcas in Eynhallow Sound taken by Kevin Mccullen
Here are the latest sightings from the summer. We have had some amazing, flat calm seas, perfect for whale watching ….
June 2009
4th June - 5 big dolphins (possibly Rissos) coming out of water in Bay of Ireland 6am. Heading towards Hoy sound.
8th June - X2 porpoise going to & from Rousay, west of Wyre
9th June - Fin Whale was seen in the Pentland Firth, a massive blow, 1 animal with possibly 2 others. travelling east. Harbour porpoise seen off Grimness Head
10th June - 1 Minke whale, groups of 3+2+2 Harbour porpoise off Grimness Head. During the evening a pod of Risso’s dolphins & 2 Harbour porpoise.
16th June - Possible x2 Minke whales seen close to Noup head, Westray
27th June - x2 Basking Sharks seen off Burwick, South Ronaldsay
27th-29th June - School of dolphins in the Holm & scapa Flow area. Some were Rissos’s dolphins
July/August
1st July - Basking shark seen off Saviskaill Head, Rousay
15th July - Basking Shark seen in Birsay Bay & we didn’t see it!!
3rd August - Minke Whale & Harbour Porpoise seen at in Eynhallow sound, Costa.
6th August - Basking Shark seen in Eynhallow sound, Costa during the evening.
7th August - X12 Rissos Dolphins & Harbour Porpoise seen in Eynhallow sound, Costa at 8AM!
An exciting & unusual sight was seen on 15th January 2009, a pod of 3 Orca’s! The group consisted of a bull & two females. They were seen about noon at Manse bay, South Ronaldsay.
So keep your eyes peeled, you never know when you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these sometimes elusive mammals!
We wonder when our first sighting of 2009 will be??
