Sunday 9 August 2020

Cliff and the Archangels

It was time.

Time to revisit a coastal walk which I had previously only done in Winter, when the Grey Seals are pupping or when the low sunlight illuminates the scenery in a golden glow.

It is suitably different in Summer, though not necessarily drier or less windy.

This is the bay of Bur Wick in South Ronaldsay. The plan was to venture northwards up the west coast of the island until we (Eagle-eyed M and I) came to the place we reached during our southerly jaunt from Sandwick earlier in the year.  

As we found during that previous walk, there were many Common Blue butterflies frequenting the hollows and sheltered spots of the clifftops. Mostly males looking for love, as the females made themselves scarce. We were fortunate to find this little lady who allowed me to edge closer for a photo opportunity.
The clifftops were covered in mini-forests of Angelica Angelica archangelica which in turn were covered in all manner of insects, including bumblebees, honey bees, social wasps, solitary wasps, hoverflies and craneflies. I failed to adequately capture the wider Angelica scene, but spent ages oo-ing and ah-ing over various waspish delights. Here is a Maritime Mason-wasp Ancistrocerus scoticus.
A kerfuffle inland drew our attention, as a Great Black-backed Gull and a Great Skua (Bonxie) had a bit of a stand off over some alleged slight, possibly involving one looking at the other in a funny way.
The cliffs along the route are spectacular, not terrifically high, but the rock strata are very interesting, with different coloured layers and all sorts of whorls and scrunches (technical geological term).
Amongst the heather and crowberry, we kept seeing examples of this moth, but had no idea what it was at the time. Recourse to an ID guide later, proved it to be an Antler Moth.
These beasties are Dagger Flies of some stripe, but didn't both us at all, unlike the clegs, midges and Red Ants (when we stopped for lunch, M managed to park herself on top of an ant colony). 
All the while, the seas of the Pentland Firth pounded the coast. OK, 'pounded' might be over-egging the conditions on a Summer's day, but the scenery bears witness to wilder times on these shores.
During our return to where we had parked, the insects feeding on the Angelica florets were as abundant as ever. This is a hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri...
and we found another Antler Moth.
Nearing Bur Wick once more, an oil tanker was sailing into the Firth, en route to a ship-to-ship otransfer in Scapa Flow. It can be seen in the distance, navigating between the Lother Rock and the Pentland Skerries.


An unexpected insect to be found in the 'canopy' of the Angelica forest was this Earwig. Now that I look at the photo again, I suppose there is a passing resemblance of the floret to an Elizabethan wig.  
And we also managed to find the other species of mason-wasp which is present in Orkney, the Stocky Mason-wasp Ancistrocerus oviventris.
The only social wasp we saw was this Tree Wasp.

Eight months ago, M had a fall on this walk, necessitating a trip to A&E, so I think it was good for her to lay that particular ghost to rest. In fact, at the place in question, she was able to take some photos of a Small Tortoiseshell, which was basking on the warmth of a piece of wood.

15 comments:

Mark said...

You did well with the 'Blue' they never open their wings for me!

Imperfect and Tense said...

Ah, but you never see photos of my failed attempts! Certainly, a butterfly will close its wings to be less conspicuous if it senses potential danger. My motto is 'low and slow', trying not to be a huge looming presence rushing in. But I think, more importantly, it depends on whether the butterfly is too hot or cold. If the latter, and that's more likely here in Orkney, the wings will be open to soak up some therms. Perhaps south, they're already too warm and shut their wings to keep try and keep cool. But yes, I was very happy with the results from this particularly careful approach, especially as it was on a cliff edge!

Caroline Gill said...

Wonderful photographs, and I'm rather jealous of your Small Tortie sighting. I've only had one fleeting glimpse all summer of this once common species. Thank you for the comment om my blog.

Imperfect and Tense said...

Hi Caroline, Orkney doesn't have that many species of butterfly, so they're all quite special. I think there's about 10 species present during the year. We lost a Fritillary a few years ago (a fact I only recently discovered) but gained Comma in 2019. I enjoy visiting your blog for the wide diversity of wildlife you share. It is most appreciated.

Mark said...

MrTense, are you ok?

Imperfect and Tense said...

Still here, Mark, just lost the muse for the moment.

John Sinclair said...

Mr Tense, I check your blog about once a month to catch up on your musings and thoroughly enjoy it. I lived on Westray for a few years when I was much younger and your posts take me right back to wonderful Orkney. I noticed you haven’t posted for a while and hope you and the Lass are well. All the best from Arbroath, John

Imperfect and Tense said...

Hi John, Thank you for your kind words. Currently, I am wondering whether I&T has run its course and, if so, what to replace it with. Hopefully, these conundrums will be resolved in due course. Shockingly, I must admit that I haven't been to Westray for ages, although work has taken me to all the other outer isles this Summer. And, oddly, lockdown has given me a whole new appreciation of the archipelago and its wildlife. Best Wishes, Graeme

John Sinclair said...

Thanks for replying Graeme. I would be sad to see I&T go but I’m sure you will find a new project in no time. I keep hoping to get back up to Orkney as I didn’t get to see as much of it as I would have hoped despite living there, isn’t that always the way? I recently got the all clear after treatment for cancer so I’m hoping to seize on the new lease of life and tick some of these off the bucket list! J

Imperfect and Tense said...

Hi John, I'm glad to hear that you're hale and hearty and contemplating a visit to Orkney. Yes, living somewhere is very different to holidaying there, and it is very easy to fall into the humdrum of day-to-day existence and miss out on the wonders on our doorsteps. Fortunately, perhaps, lockdown has given us the opportunity to reflect upon this.

Mark said...

Mr Tense, I have read the above comments and I am genuinely saddened to learn that I and T may have ran it's course. You have inspired me, and no doubt many others to pursue Odanata as well as other forms of wildlife.And with your Knowledge and zeal, you should write a book!!! I hope you continue to blog and feel free to text me any findings - 07913 750 170. My very best wishes, Tensey, lass, 1st, 2nd born - Marky.

Imperfect and Tense said...

Mark, thank you for your kind words and best wishes, neither of which I deserve, I'm afraid. Suffice to say, I&T must end for very personal reasons.

Mark said...

Ok Kiddo. (I made a comment on Interegnum before I read this) Well I hope our paths cross in the future. You put a smile on many peoples faces.You're a good man.

Alyson said...

Just dropped by for a catch up and enjoyed the wonderful pictures, but from a while back now. I see from the comments boxes I&T may have ended, which is sad, but you obviously have your reasons. Regards to you all and hope to see you return with another project in due course.

Imperfect and Tense said...

Hi Alyson, thank you. For the change of direction, please visit the link posted in 'Interregnum'.