Orkney

12-13 May - An overnight trip by Flybe turboprop (1) to Orkney, after my walking trip to the Cairngorms, and very worthwhile. Orkney mainland is a mixture of farmland, moorland and lochs (7-8), with the sea never far away (9). Weather bright/sunny with a strong SW wind on the 13th.
The prehistory is a prominent feature of tourism on the islands, including the Ring of Brodgar (5), the Stones of Stenness (6), and Skara Brae (18).
Highlights in terms of wildlife included 3 male Hen Harriers (20-21) with excellent views from the hide at Cottasgarth (19) and 4 Short-eared Owls (22); 3 Red-throated Divers, and a total of 13 Great Northern Divers offshore; Great (12) and Arctic Skuas, Arctic Terns (24-25), and, above all, the sight and sound of waders everywhere including Curlew (4), Redshank (2), Oystercatcher (3), drumming Snipe and Lapwing; thousands of Guillemots (11), Razorbills (15) and Puffins at Marwick Head (10) with Fulmars (13) and Kittiwakes (14) in the air (and Black Guillemots in Scapa Flow). Passerines are fairly few in number but included Rock Pipit (16) and Wheatear (17). A very unspoilt place.