Westray and Papa Westray have much to offer the Nature enthusiast.

In Westray

Plants and Animals
The cliffs and rang of hills from Noup Head to Inga Ness support a rich variety of maritime vegetation.

The west facing slopes are very exposed to wind and salt spray and a cliff top salt marsh has developed.

As you proceed inland from the cliffs, rich maritime heath develops as the salt concentration decreases. The Vikings probably brought in angelica which can still be found growing at various places around Pierowall Bay.

The most extensive sand dune and dune pasture areas at Noltland support a rich variety of wild flowers in spring and early summer.

Both grey and common seals are numerous in Westray. Small numbers of grey seals can frequently be seen from the shore throughout the year. Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises are occasionally seen and it is well worth scanning the sea, particularly in calm conditions, to see if any of these spectacular marine mammals break the surface.

The elusive Otters, are also found here. You may only see their footprints or droppings, but sightings are not uncommon at the ferry terminal.

In rough vegetation, trodden down paths may indicate the presence of the Orkney Vole, a sub-species of Microtus arvalis, which is a continental species also found in the Channel Island of Guernsey. It is believed to have arrived here in Orkney with the earliest human colonists some 5000 years ago.

Birds
The bird-watcher’s first port of call must be the cliffs at Noup Head. Extending for almost 8km south to Inga Ness, the cliffs and the maritime heath land immediately inland have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the area's international importance has been recognised in the proposal also to list the site as a Special Protection Area.

The northernmost 3km of cliff are a reserve of the RSPB.

The cliffs hold enormous numbers of nesting seabirds between April and July. Guillemots and Kittiwakes are the most numerous while there are also many Razorbill's and Fulmars and a small number of Puffins.

However Puffins are better seen on the cliffs at The Castle O' Burrian.

It is also possible to see Peregrine Falcons on the island's cliffs but successful breeding has not occurred for many years. Ravens, however, are successful and a few broods are reared each year from nest often built of barbed wire!

The maritime heaths and certain shingle beaches are the summer homes of over 1000 pairs of Arctic Terns who arrive in the second week of May and stay for less than three months to rear their young, before setting off again on their 10,000 mile migration south. 100 pairs of Arctic Skuas also nest here and a few pairs of Great Skua, or Bonxie, also breed.

Other birds of the heaths include Eider Ducks, four species of gulls and waders such as Oyster-catchers and Ringed Plovers.

The island's lochs and wetlands host a rich array of breeding birds. Mute Swans, Little Grebes, duck such as Mallard, Shoveler and Tufted Duck, waders such as Redshank, Lapwing and Snipe together with Moorehens and Coots all find room to nest here.

One or two Corncrakes still breed and can be heard giving their characteristic call on calm summer evenings.

Amongst the smaller birds are Skylarks, Meadow and Rock Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Wrens, Twites, Blackbirds, Reed Buntings and in summer, Wheetears may be seen, their white rumps flashing as they skip along the dry stone dykes.

 

In Papa Westray

Wild Flowers
The island had a rich variety of habitats for which nature has selected the plan best fitted for survival, 230 different species have been identified. Associated with blanket bog on the North Hill you may find the Sundew, a carnivorous plant which traps and consumes insects. In the adjacent maritime heath community, seaside plants like Sea Pink thrive because they can resist salt spray. sand dunes are colonised by the pioneering Marram Grass, able to combat drought by rolling its leaves to reduce water loss.

The links at Moclett has a great diversity of wildflowers. The annual Ragwort is quick to colonise bare areas. Disturbed areas, generally around the farm, are covered in aggressive species like Silverweed, so called because of the silver underside of the leaf. fresh water marsh as at St Tredwell’s Loch is characterised by plants like Yellow Flag which are able to cope with changing water levels and provide cover for nesting wildfowl.

Birdlife
Papay’s north hill is a Bird Sanctuary of International renown, the sea-cliffs offer excellent nesting sites for common seabirds – about 6,000 pairs of Arctic Terns, 100 pairs of Arctic Skua, and many Razorbills and Guillemots. Less easy to find in the crowd are the Puffins, Black Guillemots and Great Skuas.

There is a good variety of waders like the Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Add to this the migrant incomers arriving in the autumn – Steller’s Eider, Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneye, Whooper Swans from Iceland and many others – and you can see why Papay is an ornithologist’s idea of heaven!

If you are interested in birds but intimidated by their aggressive behaviour while nesting, the RSPB has a warden on the island who will gladly show you around. A bird hide is situated on Hyndgreenie Hill complete with toilet.