John Rae’s Birthday Party…..North Ronaldsay Bird Report 2022…. An Evolutionary Bottleneck….
by Bernie Bell - 09:33 on 13 September 2023
John Rae’s Birthday Party….
From the John Rae Society...
“Time….Saturday, September 30th at 7pm
Place…The Matchmakers, The Albert Hotel, Kirkwall
...to celebrate the 210th birthday of Arctic Explorer John Rae, (1813 – 1893) with an evening of fun and fundraising, including:
❖ the launch of the special edition Hall of Clestrain Rum from the award-winning J. Gow Rum Distillery – see it being bottled here
❖ An auction of beautiful lots, including the 1st bottle of Hall of Clestrain Rum, signed by the maker, along with paintings, jewellery and artefacts
❖ A specially-scribed ode written and read by Harvey Johnston
❖ Music from a local band
❖ A salmon buffet and the cutting of a special birthday cake
❖ A fabulous Raffle, with a first prize of ferry tickets for 2 plus a car from Stromness, courtesy of Northlink Ferries
A bar will be available at the event
We look forward to welcoming you.
There will be a host of other events over the weekend to celebrate, including a graveside vigil and service at St Magnus Cathedral - please check the John Rae Society website for details www.johnraesociety.com “
The good Doctor at rest...
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North Ronaldsay Bird Report 2022….
As we are ’Friends of…’ we receive the annual North Ronaldsay Bird Report FREE!
The 2022 edition has arrived…..
…..and, as always, is a mine of information - many facts and figures about, for example, breeding birds, rarities, ringing etc. and also plenty of delight-full illustrations – some of original art-works - my particular favourite being Lisa Hooper’s Pintail on page 37.
There are also photographic images in the section entitled ‘Birds in Portrait’. On page 120 and 121 – White-tailed Eagles – say no more.
And then there’s the ‘Non-Avian’ section – mostly moths, which includes a Convolvulus Hawk Moth, one of which visited our garden this time last year….
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=15915
And an incredibly well-camouflaged Pink-barred Sallow on page 169.
All the moth pictures are by George Gay – who must have patience and luck to get such clear, illustrative images.
The report costs just £15 and previous reports are still available (2018 & 2017: £10, 2016: £8, 2015 & 2014 at £7 each) – but if you become a ‘Friend of…’ you get it FREE!
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An Evolutionary Bottleneck….
……discussed by Steve Drury…
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Here’s one I made earlier…. https://theorkneynews.scot/2022/01/14/dreaming-is-free-blondie-2/
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