Winter Wildlife Walk
- Winter wildfowl including Long-tailed ducks, Goldeneyes and Slavonian grebes
- Listen to the sounds of the waders - Curlews, Golden Plovers and Redshanks
- Harbour seals in Stenness Loch
- Look out for Brown hares racing across the fields
The Winter Wildlife Walk is a short circular walk around the RSPB reserve which surrounds the Ring of Brodgar.
During the autumn and winter months, this area hosts a fantastic variety of wildfowl on both Stenness and Harray lochs including Slavonian Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks and Goldeneyes.
In the grassland habitats, keep an eye out for waders such as Golden Plovers, Snipe and Curlews.
This is also a good place to see Brown Hares in the fields and Harbour Seals in Stenness Loch.
We will meet at the Ring of Brodgar car park. I have a turquoise Ford fiesta with my logo on the side, when you are ready please make your way to my car so that I can go through some pre-walk information with you.
Our walk is circular, approximately 2 miles and will take about 2 hours.
Please be aware that we don't visit the Ring of Brodgar itself, but we do pass by it on our walk. If you do want to visit it, you can do so either before or after the walk.
- Walking boots/shoes - preferably waterproof (the ground can get very wet during the winter months)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing/layers including hats & gloves
- Binoculars if you have them
- A snack and a drink
Q. Are there public toilets nearby?
No, there are no public toilets at this location. The nearest would be in the village of Stenness which is 2 miles away.
Q. Can I use public transport for this walk?
Yes, it is possible to use the X1 Stagecoach bus service for this walk. The bus timetables can be found on the Orkney Islands Council website.
Q. Is there a minimum number of people required for this walk?
No, we do not require a minimum number for this walk.
Q. Can we take our dog on this walk?
If you need to cancel your wildlife walk, please let us know at least 7 days in advance via email. The following charges will apply according to the date we receive your email:
- If notified 7 days in advance of your booking you will receive a full refund
- If notified less than 7 days in advance of your booking you will not receive a refund
- If you fail to show up for your wildlife walk at the agree time/meeting location you will not receive a refund
- If your clothing/equipment is deemed to be inadequate or unsafe, Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to cancel your walk/tour without a refund.
Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to change or cancel walks if there is bad weather forecast. Please be aware that we will only cancel if the weather forecast will make it unsafe to be out. If a walk is cancelled, you will be offered a choice:
- An alternative time/date
- A walk in a different location
- An alternative activity, ie a visit to a hide
- A full refund if none of the above is suitable
We reserve the right to change walks or itineraries in the light of prevailing weather or other safety reasons. Being on foot in remote and/or rugged country is potentially hazardous by its nature and participants must accept a certain element of risk. In the interest of safety, you must agree to abide by the decisions of your Walking Guide, who has full liability insurance.
Wild Orkney Walks shall not be liable for any consequential loss or damage arising from the cancellation, interruption, delay or alteration of or to any walk.
You are advised to take out travel insurance to cover any cancellation fees.
All refunds will be £ sterling and any fluctuation in exchange rates will not be our responsibility.
