Our SurvØY show is up at Glasgow School of Arts Reid gallery until the 1st of November. Islands in time, space and fragments of flint.. SurvØY is a Papay based artist collaboration between Jonathan Ford and Saoirse Higgins.

We've just been to the preview of this wonderful exhibition by @papayranger.bsky.social and Saiorse Higgins, a must-see if you're in Glasgow, in fact a reason to go! #Papay #Orkney gsaexhibitions.co.uk/exhibition/s...

Two steps forward and two steps back. Wryneck on Papay yesterday, a lifer for me. Old world woodpecker island birds. Thanks to @papaybirder.bsky.social for the finding skills.

For the early birds…

The island turns to Autumn, blue sky showers the order of the day.

Might be as close as I get to a real Gyrfalcon on Papay. An escapee making the most of our resident Moorhens at Cott today.

Nights last lights.

All the colours. A breezy South wick today.

The first eastern gem of the Autumn. And a lifer for me. Greenish warbler in the willows at Hundland yesterday. #Papay #birdguides #orkney

Fowl Flag, the most northerly point of Papay. Next stop the Arctic. A bit longer walk this afternoon, taking in the Northern coastline, as part of the Papay tour.

In some places, golden leaves signal Autumn, while here Golden birds mark the passing of the year. Golden plover on passage, on Papay today.

Outbound over the Holm of Papay with Sheepie geo and Ramnie geo below.

South wick, the Bothican and North wick on a tour of Papay’s beaches.

Last night’s island stand still.

An island constant.

A blue sky bird. Take your pick? Arctic terns on the Holme of Papay today.

If Lucio Fontana did islands. The Holm of Papay on Tuesday evening.

Noctilucent clouds over Fowl Craig last night. The night shining.

Like gold, or silver dust. Where once there were many. Juvenile Arctic tern on the Holm of Papay this evening.

Caught in the act. Catch them while you can. Bridled guillemot at Open Doors this afternoon

As we near the end of @ragnasislands.bsky.social, I look back with pride on the last 18 months. Thanks in large part to the core team, @shroomgirl.bsky.social and @matthew-blake.bsky.social, we achieved what we planned and aspects of the project will live on: blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/ragnasisland...

Aak underwing. Aak understone. New life on the ledge.

All sea and land is calm. Papay still.

Always the last to fledge, fluffy Mallimacks abound in every nook and cranny on the island.

Even from space, this Lion's Mane jellyfish. With the warm waters.

A line of sight. From the extant to the extinct.

Extinct birds as weather vanes.

A golden hour with the Auks, up on Fowl Craig last night.

Fresh catch this morning. Good to see fish being landed for young at the quarry along the East Craig this morning.

An island constant, curious and listening. Selkie at Leaper's Geo yesterday.

It's Tystie time of year on Papay, or Teista time if you are in Iceland. Islands linked by language and Auks. Black guillemot - Cepphus grylle Tour availability this week on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Other Auks are available.

Great Auks Great Skua An anagram flypast. Today on Fowl Craig.

The tale of Grampus griseus. The tail it would tell.

The farther north you go, the cleverer the Auks get. Bridled Guillemot and Un-Bridled Guillemot.

An Auk described in white lines. The closest we have to the Great Auk. Razorbill or Coulter Neb.

The Great auk and a rainbow. Papay Orkney

Neolithic carving and neolithic doorways. Holm of Papay South - Chambered cairn. The Knap O'Howar - Neolithic steading. Papay - Orkney

A good fish shaped sign for the future Tysties to come. Black guillemot on the east Craig this afternoon.

Fingers crossed this is a good sign, more Puffins than I have ever seen on the Holm of Papay today.

For the early 5.30am birds. Papay, Orkney.

Mallimack and sea pink. Papay Fulmars.

Bring me the head of a great Auk. Coulter ned or Razorbill on Fowl Craig, Papay. Yesterday.

Ageing gracefully. Papay Great Auk.

My new Great Auk pin badge is on sale now, specially designed for the opening of the new memorial to this extinct seabird on Papay. Auk image based on the 3-d scan of the original specimen, with presentation card showing one of my design collages from the process. Price is £12.50 inc UK postage.

Don't think I have ever shown these properly. A selection of some of my printed A5 cards #UKbirding #BirdArt

Last departure of the day from the Holm of Papay. I hope we didn't leave anybody behind!! Bookings being taken, return tickets only, for that marooned on an island experience.

Using the trig point for shelter, watching Golden plover and rainbows on the summit of Mt Errival, a mighty 48m above sea level!!

The perfect time of year to visit the Neolithic settlement at the Knap of Howar, adorned with sea pink, with a blue view.

A sun bow over the South Kruive on the Holm of Papay last night, a signal for a change in the weather, and some much needed rain.

The annual ritual of 'Hunt The Primula' on today's Papay Tour, on a fine day to be out and about on the island.