Birdwatching in the Orkney Islands ~ Orkney bird names, local pronunciations and bird calls

Thank you to Orcadian storyteller and historian Tom Muir (who also happens to be my husband) for providing the Orcadian pronunciations of local Orkney bird names.

For more stories of life and lore in Scotland's Orkney Islands, visit our website, Orkneyology.com, to learn about all things Orkney, moving to Orkney, living in Orkney, and the folklore and history of Orkney and its neighbours.

Tom's deep knowledge of Orkney's stories, history and lore was gathered through countless generations of Orcadians, 35 years of work in archaeology, the Orkney Museum, stories and storytelling for as many years, and researching the many books he has authored. Find out about visiting Orkney and Orkney life on our website: https://www.orkneyology.com

Keep abreast of new books published by Orkneyology Press in our shop: https://shop.orkneyology.com/collecti...

If you're so inclined, you can support our ongoing work at Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/orkneyology Every kind gift helps us both practically and by encouragement. Thank you!

Buy the new extended edition of Tom Muir's Orkney folk tales, the 25th anniversary edition of The Mermaid Bride and Other Orkney Stories: https://www.orcadian.co.uk/shop/ficti...

Please browse Orkneyology Press books and other intriguing items in our shop: https://shop.orkneyology.com/

Find a cute Orkney bird names mug in our Orkneyology shop here: https://rebrand.ly/pxjwmbe

Or get a cute puffin mug from our shop: https://rebrand.ly/hrmibik Everybody loves a puffin!


Photos are under creative commons licensure. Raven:https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index... Crow:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsRook:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsStarling:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsLinnet:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsBlackbird:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsWren:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsRock Pipit:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsMeadow pipit:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsSand martin: -https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia CommonsSkylark:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsShort-eared owl:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCuckoo:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsRock dove:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPuffin creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsLittle auk:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBlack Guillemot:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsRazorbill:/creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGuillemot:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsArctic tern: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsKittiwake:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGreat black-backed gull creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsHerring gull:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCommon gull:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBlack-headed gull:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsArctic skua: commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81494339Common sandpipercreativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsRedshank: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCurlew:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSnipe: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsLapwing:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGolden plover:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsRinged plover: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsOystercatcher:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCoot:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsHen harrier:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGolden eagle: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsWhite-tailed eagle:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsRed-breasted merganser:reativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCommon merganser: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsEider:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsLong-tailed duck:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsGoldeneye creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsTeal: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsMallard:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsShelducks:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBrent goose:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons