August in Orkney

[Carol]

Just back from Orkney main island rain and wind held off the days we were there.
Superb views of gannets fishing,
shags criss-crossing every bay,
skua (mostly great but some artic) patrolling the coasts to rob terns, gulls and gannets,
common and sandwich terns still there,
fulmar chicks fattening on upper ledges,
a few auks,
grey seals and eider ducks lapping every harbour and flat rock,
small bands of oystercatchers, ringed plovers, redshanks, lapwings,
great clouds of curlew outside Kirkwall, starlings flocks over the evening town,
owl (possible short-eared)
hooded crows and swallows everywhere,
a few shellducks,
and much more
Would like to return. I preferred our stay at Stromness - lots of places close by for birding strolls