The Hunting of the Whark

Reports yesterday of a whale in Echnaloch Bay and a basking shark off Barrier #2 so I headed down to try and see both whale and shark or 'whark'. I was surprised at the whooper on Echna Loch, they usually only visit in winter but maybe this bird never left after last winter due to injury, though it looked fine. I walked along the east shore of the bay as far as barrier #3 then the west shore of Glimps Holm to barrier #2. No sign of whark, though I was taking photos, birdwatching, drinking coffee and eating cake for much of the time. Reports came in later of shark at both #1 barrier and at Stromness harbour so looks like at least a couple around.