Beauty Under Threat

The Orkney Islands are great for wildlife and much is being done by locals and conservationists to monitor and improve species numbers. Research scientist Monica

Arso Civil, originally from Spain, was well wrapped up for her long hours of watching around South Ronaldsay for harbour seals. She’s intent on finding out why numbers here have declined. She’s electronically tagged many, but what’s rather lovely is that she recognises them from their markings! It was pupping season during our visit, and we heard that killer whales were in these waters predating on seals.

On the west coast of mainland Orkney is Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old human settlement, where I’m sure the Summer Solstice would have been marked with rituals.

On the white sands I met Martin Gray, known as the Orkney Beachcomber. “Some winter storms leave this beach shrouded with rubbish carried in the Gulf Stream. Detritus from the USA and Canada, but of course the UK as well! It disgusts and upsets me, especially knowing the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.” So he’s doing all he can to clean the land and as we walked in this beautiful, historic place we gathered plastic lids, cake packets and the like.