Well, it has been a while since I have had the time to sit down and write a blog, however that can only be a good sign as it has been a busy summer, despite the weather. From what I have gathered, it has been a strange summer weather wise for many folk, wherever they are from, so at least we are not alone.
The strange weather has also confused our wildlife, there are some flowers which have kept going all summer, whereas others have gone over very quickly. Thrift or Seapink is a flower that I associate with the month of May when it turns our clifftops into a carpet of pink, and it is often past by mid-June. This year however, I have seen it in flower every month between May and October which is just bizarre!
Our insects have also had a difficult summer, after a warm start to May, the weather and temperature went rapidly downhill and June felt more like November! It took until the 2nd week in July for things to start warming up again. According to the Butterfly Conservation Trust, the 2024 Big Butterfly Count revealed it’s lowest ever numbers. Although we already know that butterflies, moths and other insects are massively in decline, one of the reasons for the low numbers this year must be due to the awful weather conditions experienced in May, June and July. Whether it was cold, wet or windy, none of it would be good for our insects. I have certainly noticed less butterflies this year, and I felt that it was a very short season for my favourite, the Common Blue. Here’s hoping that next year is better for them.
Walks
During September, our Hidden Gem, Stromness Saunters 1 – The Harbour, Mull Head and the Burwick Coastal walks all proved to be very popular. As we are currently updating our website for 2025, the Mull Head and Burwick walks are temporarily offline, but will be back on the website just as soon as we can update them.
On Monday 30th September, we carried out the recce for the Seal Pup Walk which is running from Tuesday 1st October to Friday 20th December inclusive. I am delighted to say that we saw our first seal pup on the recce, so the Grey seal pupping season has officially started!
I have probably said this before, but I will keep saying it……… The Seal Pup Walk is one of my favourite walks to do, and we do look at the other wildlife as well as the gorgeous seal pups!
Wildlife
Here’s a few photos of some of the wildlife I have seen in September while out on walks including birds, flowers and some insects.
Island Trips
On a sunny, September Saturday, my partner and I jumped on a Loganair Islander plane and headed to North Ronaldsay for the day. Although my partner was working for part of the day, I still enjoyed a nice walk and lots of wildlife.
I will leave you with this autumnal photo of Crowberry and Reindeer Moss, and let’s see what October brings us in the way of weather and wildlife.
