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Photo by Mark Hows
Marwick Head

[edit] Overview

The largest seabird colonies in the Orkney Islands are found here on cliffs of Old Red Sandstone almost 100m that stretch for 1.6km along the west coast of Mainland.

The reserve includes these cliffs with their many ledges, the northern part of the rocky Marwick Bay and some adjacent wet meadows

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

The most numerous breeding seabirds are Common Guillemot and Kittiwake with smaller numbers of Razorbill and Northern Fulmar. Also nesting on these cliffs are Shag and Atlantic Puffin, Rock Dove, Rock Pipit, Northern Wheatear and Northern Raven, and Peregrine Falcon is sometimes seen.

The shores of Marwick Bay and the wet meadows inland have breeding Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew and Common Redshank

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Northern Fulmar, European Shag, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-legged Kittiwake, Rock Dove, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Rock Pipit, Northern Wheatear, Northern Raven

[edit] Other Wildlife

Both Grey Seal and Common Seal can be seen offshore and Thrift, Sea Campion and Spring Squill grow on the cliffs.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

The reserve is reached on a minor road to Marwick Bay off the B9056 then on foot from the bay, parking is at HY228244.

Alternatively, there is a car-park at Cumlaquoy also reached by a minor road from the B9056, 1km north of the Marwick Bay turn-off at HY232250. From here the cliffs can be reached on foot.

Part of the cliffs can be seen well from good viewpoints on the cliff-top but great care is needed when near the cliff edge.

Grid reference: HY223248

[edit] Contact Details

Tel: 01856 850176

[edit] External Links

• RSPB: Marwick Head
• Marwick on Google Maps
• Marwick Head on Street Map

Content and images originally posted by Steve

[edit] Reviews

glasgowbirder's review

Nothing to add to description. Brilliant up close views of all the birds. Fab Pros

• Birds exactly as described

Cons

• Clifftop terrain probably not suited to youngsters or oldsters

Gramayr's review

Great location, good place for a picnic + other comments previously expressed. Pros

• Picturesque
• good view of birds.

Cons

• Cliff edge could be dangerous