Sounds of Hermaness NNR, Unst.

Here are a couple of recordings I made on yesterdays trip to Unst.

The Gannet colony was very noisy, and that's what the din in the background of the first recording is! This racket was made from the calls of hundreds of birds echoing around the cliffs. It's only a short 11 sec clip, but it conveys the noise the colony was making quite well! (just be glad I can't reproduce the smell also)...


Next up is the Great Skuas, with a particularly aggressive bird defending it's territory. There is also a Meadow Pipit trying to sing as well as a wee bit of wind noise (to say it was very windy would be an understatement!)

Sights, Sounds and Smells...

Wednesday afternoon, and it was time for my yearly visit to Hermaness on Unst. Jase decided it was too good to miss, so decided to join me too. The birds didn't disappoint, with Puffins, Great Skuas and Gannets all showing well in the summer sun.

Star bird must go to the Puffins, which were so confiding they were walking past us at a range of 2 feet or so! Lots of these wee clowns were on the cliffs and seemed to be as interested in us as we were in them..

The Great Skuas were all over the place too, with many non-breeders forming 'clubs' and allowing very close approach. These brutes just don't seem to show any fear! and I also must have stumbled into a breeding territory, as one bird in particular was very interested in knocking my block off...

Jase about to get up close and personal with a Bonxie!

Now the 'smell' was probably the most impressive aspect of the Gannet colony! They covered almost every available cliff face, and the sound was great too.... but even in the strong wind (and we were up wind too!) the smell was pungent. A musty, fishy aroma...