Ayres Above the Ground

An 'ayre' is a raised beach enclosing, partly or wholly, a lagoon. There are quite a few around Orkney. I like them for the photographic opportunities they afford and the wildlife that uses them. Botanically, they can harbour quite rare plants but they are all threatened by rising sea-levels. This is Long Ayre in Tankerness, It is the site of an arctic tern colony but none have arrived as yet. There were some shelduck (extra), long-tailed duck, cormorant and the second and third bonxies I have seen this spring. Also seen- a pair of ravens near a nest, distant hen harrier, dunlin, bar-tailed godwits etc.