The gem that is Graemsay

One of the most important aspects of the Orkney Book of Wildflowers is for the flowers that are depicted to be set in an appropriate location. We have to be truthful - the illustrated flower must occur in the location that forms the backdrop to the plate. However it can be long-winded process to find the perfect site. The chosen background must be visually strong and depict an Orkney view that is recognisable. You also have to take into account the welfare of the artist - she doesn't want to fall asleep at her easel. She needs the right and stimulating combination too. So it is with those ideas in mind that I set out to the various islands and parishes to search for what at times appears as elusive as the Holy Grail.

On Tuesday it was Graemsay's turn. The island is a gem with a splendid array of wildflowers and Tuesday's visit provided me with locations for at least five of the flowers that will be included in 'the book' - Creeping Willow, Sneezewort, Shepherd's Purse, Goldenrod and Lousewort. The verges were a delight with Eyebrights everywhere and though the Twayblades were over, they would have been a tremendous sight a month ago. One of my favourite hoverflies, the 'large and silent one' (Sericomyia silentis), indulged on the sprays of Wild Anglica. I was particularly pleased with the display of Goldenrod along the eastern side of the island which has caused me to change my original location for this flower's location (Nowt Bield, Hoy) - it will now be Graemsay with Hoy High lighthouse as the backdrop.

My six hours on Graemsay were a tonic. Not only did I manage to find some target flowers,  I also bumped into an Otter. While leaning on the bridge at the Burn of Quoys ruminating over the day's successes I heard a great deal of heavy splashing sounds coming up the burn - you would have thought a Water Buffalo was on the charge such was the din - a few seconds later a dog Otter appeared and promptly launched itself into the deeper waters near the bridge. I obtained one image - body submerged, tail raised and a ribbon of bubbles streaming from its nostrils.

Creeping Willow's view of Hoy from Graemsay

Granite outcrop with Cuilags behind

Eyebrights and Sea Plantain on granite outcrop

Goldenrod view of Hoy High lighthouse

Goldenrod

Twayblade

Willow curtain at the quarry

Sericomyia silentis on Wild Angelica

'Up periscope' - dog otter at Burn of Quoys

The first of the wildflower walks - the Orphir coast

I notice that the last entry was 4th May - that's ten days ago - too long by far - apologies. But it's that time of the year when it's non-stop. Last Monday Anne and I (yes we are still talking) chaperoned Dounby school on the MV Graemsay as it steamed across Scapa Flow and we talked of World War 1 and 2 and the birdlife. Tuesday was seven hours of birdwatching - firstly with two visitors to Orkney from upstate New York, Ann and Joan. We toured the West Mainland - a trip that included Puffins at Marwick and Whimbrel and Scaup at Skaill. This was followed by an evening class on Hunda - a perfect and calm spring evening serenaded by the cooing and purring of Eiders and the creaking of a hundred Arctic Terns.

The Orkneyinga Saga Centre

The Round Kirk at the Bu, Orphir

The Orkneyinga circular walk - coastal heath in July

And today was the first Wildflower class. We went to Orphir and walked the circular route that starts and finishes at the Orkneyinga Saga Centre. It's a good wee walk in that it introduces folk to half a dozen habitats in little more than a mile and a bit. There's wetland adjacent to the Orphir burn, shore plants down in the bay, coastal grassland, coastal heath, hard rock sea cliff, tame woodland and arable. The cliff walk faces south and is sheltered by a sandstone dyke that is covered with Sea Ivory - the wildflowers here have a head start.

Arguably the most noticeable plants along the cliff were Spring Squill and Creeping Willow. The former were not that plentiful (the coastal grassland was probably too lush in places) but the Willow was flowering prolifically.

Spring Squill

Spring Squill

Creeping Willow

Common Dog Violets were in profusion along this stretch of the walk. Red Campion was in flower but not that abundant as was Primrose. Bluebells, Daffodils, Red Poppies and Montbretia had been dumped over the cliff and were thriving. Though colourful, I think the natural cliff vegetation would be better off without them.

The wood at Gyre was blooming. A month ago the understorey barely tickled your ankles. Today the ferns were a metre high and the Butterbur leaves twice as big as dinner plates. But it was probably the Pink Purslane that stole the show. It would be no exaggeration to say that it was the most abundant flowering plant not only in the wood but also along the road past the wood and to the Bu.