sarahthurlbeck

Bonkers Bonxies and Greedy Gannets

Recently on Shetland I went on a boat trip to the sandstone cliffs of Noss, home to a gannet colony and many other seabirds. On the way past the Isle of Bressay we got close up views of the great skua, known as a “bonxie” (meaning big breasted) in Shetland. This one had its eyeContinue reading “Bonkers Bonxies and Greedy Gannets”

Tammie Norries!

Last weekend I was lucky enough to see puffins for a second time this year, this time on the Shetland Islands. Here they are known as “Tammie Norries,” probably because in the old scots language a tammie norrie is foolish looking man. They are also known as clowns of the sea, because of their clownContinue reading “Tammie Norries!”

Osprey Evenings

We are very fortunate to have ospreys visit a loch just a mile away from us. The other night we went looking for one and there were actually two hunting for their supper at the same time. We watched them circle round, then hover, then plunge feet first down into the water. We watched atContinue reading “Osprey Evenings”

Buzzing

I knew the buzzards must have had an active nest in the wood as when walking past a parent buzzard circled overhead calling out a warning cry. So last night we went into the wood to see if we could see the nest. The old one was blown down in a January storm so weContinue reading “Buzzing”

All on a Summer’s Evening

On my walks back and forth across fields to observe the tawny owls I’ve loved seeing other wildlife in amongst the buttercups, in the hedges and on the pond. I never know what is going to pop up in my line of vision next. I’ve not seen the fawns again. I suspect they are tuckedContinue reading “All on a Summer’s Evening”

Tawny Owlet

After weeks of watching I finally saw an owlet in the tawny’s nest in the wood. Two years ago I saw three owlets in the nest but it appears that this year there is just the one. Or is that another owlet tucked in behind it? Other siblings may have branched out from the nestContinue reading “Tawny Owlet”

Frolicking Fawns

I’ve never seen fawns out in the open until today when I spotted a pair having a runabout at the far end of a buttercup field. Mum was not far away and when she emerged from a nearby barley field her twins came over to suckle. Once they had had their feed Mum led themContinue reading “Frolicking Fawns”

Water Babies

Tonight, instead of watching “Springwatch” on TV we went out to enjoy the sunny evening and see what we could observe on the canal. All was quiet and I was just saying, “I hear there’s some cygnets been seen…ooaah, and there they are!” Coming round a bend towards us was a swan with a groupContinue reading “Water Babies”

Otter Encounters – Part Two

I’ve seen triangular road signs on the Islands of Mull and North Uist warning motorists that otters might be crossing the roads. There is only one main road on the Isle of Jura, and no signs warning of otters. Maybe they don’t need any, as an otter I encountered whilst cycling seemed to know itsContinue reading “Otter Encounters – Part Two”

Otter Encounters – Part One

I’ve just got back from the Isle of Jura where I was lucky enough to spot an otter at least ten times! They were enjoying the good weather as much as us humans and it was a treat to watch them fishing along the shoreline. This one crossed a sandy beach in front of meContinue reading “Otter Encounters – Part One”