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orkney birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dafi
- Start date
Sue Wright
Well-known member
Hi Daf, thanks for letting me know who Tim is, as soon as I saw Tim Dean's name I knew I had the wrong chap. Though what an artist you - Tim Wooton are! You're obviously extremely gifted, good to see you using your talent to it's full. I adore the Shortest Day SE Owl and the Puffin pair paintings, along with many more, but I must have a really good look through asap. Good to meet you and I'm pleased Dafi has another voice from Orkney.
All best wishes,
Sue.
Barrie Hamill said:
A very warm welcome to Bird Forum from me too Barrie, though it's especially good to see you also come from Orkney and will be able to chat here with Daf. He's needed others up there to join in and it seems he's getting lucky at last, so good to see as he's worked passionately and tirelessly to make these threads successful and it looks as though they're heading that way, fast!
Best wishes Barrie and I'll look forward to see your sightings now too. Those Little Terns from your kitchen window sound wonderful!
Sue.
timwootton
Well-known member
Hi Sue, many thanks for the kind words -much appreciated, Miss!
And - Shock, horror - managed to actually 'get in the field' tonight - just back, effing frozen -middle of bloody summer, t-shirt, fleece and three-way jacket and still brass-monkeyed!!! And it was sunny at that! Biting 'breeze' from the norwest and hugely disappointed to find that where I'd last left 'my' lovely female skua with chick, now in residence was a pair of bonxies - albeit 150 metres from aforementioned "gorgeous one". Ah well - if they've eaten the chick it's sad, but I love bonxies too -anyway one (I'm thinking the female - was much bonnier alongside its rather dark and angular mate) just sat doing very little, about 70 metres from me giving lovely scope views. Spent about an hour with 'her' then decided was too cold on this exposed heather clifftop, so retreated towards the car.
Then - just where I'd last left her a couple of weeks ago, was the arctic skua female. I never noticed her arrive over my shoulder and she was just too beautiful to resist. Already cold and knackered from all-day meetings about effing graphic design and how to collate my bird report information (eeeek!!!) I was lured into another 45 minutes of watching and drawing. As I creaked upright I decided to take a look where she was sitting and, although I didn't see it, the chick was, I'm sure, still alive. She put on a wonderful distraction display whilst gently calling all the time.
Great evening and one happy camper.
And - Shock, horror - managed to actually 'get in the field' tonight - just back, effing frozen -middle of bloody summer, t-shirt, fleece and three-way jacket and still brass-monkeyed!!! And it was sunny at that! Biting 'breeze' from the norwest and hugely disappointed to find that where I'd last left 'my' lovely female skua with chick, now in residence was a pair of bonxies - albeit 150 metres from aforementioned "gorgeous one". Ah well - if they've eaten the chick it's sad, but I love bonxies too -anyway one (I'm thinking the female - was much bonnier alongside its rather dark and angular mate) just sat doing very little, about 70 metres from me giving lovely scope views. Spent about an hour with 'her' then decided was too cold on this exposed heather clifftop, so retreated towards the car.
Then - just where I'd last left her a couple of weeks ago, was the arctic skua female. I never noticed her arrive over my shoulder and she was just too beautiful to resist. Already cold and knackered from all-day meetings about effing graphic design and how to collate my bird report information (eeeek!!!) I was lured into another 45 minutes of watching and drawing. As I creaked upright I decided to take a look where she was sitting and, although I didn't see it, the chick was, I'm sure, still alive. She put on a wonderful distraction display whilst gently calling all the time.
Great evening and one happy camper.
dafi
Well-known member
Mull Head Last Class
We were out at Mull Head last night for the last class of the summer. Tonight its one of those nights with a damp kiss in the air. A fresh wind crossing our path from the south and west. We are to look at the seasonal birds and flora as we go. We pass the Gloup stopping at the shore end to have a look inside [this is a deep hole produced by the collapse of a sea caves roof and the remaining cave still open to the sea] Nothing is stirring around the walls except one or two Rock Doves and Starlings. Hopefully this place and area will soon be a magnet for migrating birds needing a rest. With something to look forward to we head off in to the gloom. Fulmars and Blackbacks keep us company as we go and one or two Curlew nervously circle us with protesting cries. Meadow Pipits abound and in the misty air ever persistent Skylarks still sing away. I can’t help but admire them. Persistent effort, brilliant song, sticky up haircut. Just a cool bird.
Sedges and Plantains are flowering away and its not long before we see this years first grass of Parnassus flower standing on its own shining brightly like a white buttercup. Another reminder of high summer. Un like the weather. Last night I was out fishing about now. Reeling in cod dressed in a t shirt now we are a mile along the track and im thinking about my water proof trousers strapped on the bike seat. Reaching the Brough and moving beyond produces Shags with young on the lower ledges and a smattering of Razor Bills with a few guillemots grouped together. One or two bridled ones are interspersed with the others. The grey light seemed to show the chocolate brown of the guillemots in contrast to the black of the Razor bills Very well. Out on the sea a few Shags lurked close in with Tysties fishing in the ware for Butter fish. Further out groups of Puffins soon fell to Ians scope. All along the upper ledges Fulmars still sit on eggs and still are quite visible despite somewhat reduced numbers in several places.
At the last gate before the heather im sure I have a Twite but its nodded off as a Meadow pipit and a Pied wagtail crosses our bows here. Now we are to follow the track across the heather which will take us across the middle of the reserve to the northern cliffs of the head. The moor itself holds breeding bonxies, a few pairs are dotted about and the gem of gems light phase Artic Scuas nest here. As we go the Bonxies curiosity is soon aroused and one soon lands on a prominent mound in the heather looking to see if there’s a threat or anything to be gained. Crossing the air has been the occasional Curlew and now one is followed by three noisy Oystercatchers and out of the gloom our first close pass of an Artic Skua fast and elegant it circles twice and moves off. Although it disappears its never far away for the rest of the night.
On reaching the cliffs it’s a familiar sight, birds are about but not in numbers. Kittiwake nests are unused from last year and birds are loafing about, waiting for their trigger to migrate. It’s a poor state of affairs but its been dwelt on enough of late. At Mull head you have a fair run of tide and on a flat calm day with a pair of bins it’s a great place to look for porpoise, dolphin and whales. Tonight we are only seeing seals but other classes with Tim here have seen whales and had great views of otters. Looking out over the sea there is a steady passage of Gannets heading west some times close in providing excellent views although im convinced I saw the same bird three times. Moving back along the cliffs we turn south and the water before us is the north sea looking cold and grey. The air is now filled with a light drizzle and I cant help but think of my trousers on the bike. At least the chill factor is not minus thirty as it would have been in the winter. The next head land is the place to watch Puffins and we see several rafts sitting off shore with birds coming and going from them while checking them out and several moulting Eiders a patch of Scots lovage in full flower is found and soon has the plant snappers prostrate in the wet grass looking for that perfect keeper shot. Moving along a Red Throated Diver put in an appearance. Feeding for a while before making its noisy departure[I felt like saying its already raining thanks] ….On arriving back at the last gate we put up a group of five Twite that flit about not bothered by us. They are giving great views until they drift away chattering in a twity manner.
Now the drizzle is falling in a solid sort of manner and the last mile and a half turns into a proper little bash back. Mmm if I just had the foresight to take those leggings. We arrive back at the car park rather strung out I put on the trousers to cut the wind chill on the way home and am off sorry if I didn’t hang around in the rain but sod that!
Just a word about these classes as a few people have asked about them these are run through the adult education dept of the college and the winter classes will be in the new enrolment in I think September[WATCH THE ORCADIAN] Tim has I think three classes once a month over the winter. Mid week saterday and Sunday. The first two last three or four hours. The one I go for is the Sunday class. This lasts from ten till four or dusk. And involves a walk of at least six miles what ever the weather. Commitment to going is important. however if your into it then you are out with someone who knows his stuff inside out and you will see birds lots of really good birds. If this isn’t enough he is also expert on the flora and archaeology. So its working out at less than a pound an hour where can you get a better bargin than that. Isn’t community education great!
We were out at Mull Head last night for the last class of the summer. Tonight its one of those nights with a damp kiss in the air. A fresh wind crossing our path from the south and west. We are to look at the seasonal birds and flora as we go. We pass the Gloup stopping at the shore end to have a look inside [this is a deep hole produced by the collapse of a sea caves roof and the remaining cave still open to the sea] Nothing is stirring around the walls except one or two Rock Doves and Starlings. Hopefully this place and area will soon be a magnet for migrating birds needing a rest. With something to look forward to we head off in to the gloom. Fulmars and Blackbacks keep us company as we go and one or two Curlew nervously circle us with protesting cries. Meadow Pipits abound and in the misty air ever persistent Skylarks still sing away. I can’t help but admire them. Persistent effort, brilliant song, sticky up haircut. Just a cool bird.
Sedges and Plantains are flowering away and its not long before we see this years first grass of Parnassus flower standing on its own shining brightly like a white buttercup. Another reminder of high summer. Un like the weather. Last night I was out fishing about now. Reeling in cod dressed in a t shirt now we are a mile along the track and im thinking about my water proof trousers strapped on the bike seat. Reaching the Brough and moving beyond produces Shags with young on the lower ledges and a smattering of Razor Bills with a few guillemots grouped together. One or two bridled ones are interspersed with the others. The grey light seemed to show the chocolate brown of the guillemots in contrast to the black of the Razor bills Very well. Out on the sea a few Shags lurked close in with Tysties fishing in the ware for Butter fish. Further out groups of Puffins soon fell to Ians scope. All along the upper ledges Fulmars still sit on eggs and still are quite visible despite somewhat reduced numbers in several places.
At the last gate before the heather im sure I have a Twite but its nodded off as a Meadow pipit and a Pied wagtail crosses our bows here. Now we are to follow the track across the heather which will take us across the middle of the reserve to the northern cliffs of the head. The moor itself holds breeding bonxies, a few pairs are dotted about and the gem of gems light phase Artic Scuas nest here. As we go the Bonxies curiosity is soon aroused and one soon lands on a prominent mound in the heather looking to see if there’s a threat or anything to be gained. Crossing the air has been the occasional Curlew and now one is followed by three noisy Oystercatchers and out of the gloom our first close pass of an Artic Skua fast and elegant it circles twice and moves off. Although it disappears its never far away for the rest of the night.
On reaching the cliffs it’s a familiar sight, birds are about but not in numbers. Kittiwake nests are unused from last year and birds are loafing about, waiting for their trigger to migrate. It’s a poor state of affairs but its been dwelt on enough of late. At Mull head you have a fair run of tide and on a flat calm day with a pair of bins it’s a great place to look for porpoise, dolphin and whales. Tonight we are only seeing seals but other classes with Tim here have seen whales and had great views of otters. Looking out over the sea there is a steady passage of Gannets heading west some times close in providing excellent views although im convinced I saw the same bird three times. Moving back along the cliffs we turn south and the water before us is the north sea looking cold and grey. The air is now filled with a light drizzle and I cant help but think of my trousers on the bike. At least the chill factor is not minus thirty as it would have been in the winter. The next head land is the place to watch Puffins and we see several rafts sitting off shore with birds coming and going from them while checking them out and several moulting Eiders a patch of Scots lovage in full flower is found and soon has the plant snappers prostrate in the wet grass looking for that perfect keeper shot. Moving along a Red Throated Diver put in an appearance. Feeding for a while before making its noisy departure[I felt like saying its already raining thanks] ….On arriving back at the last gate we put up a group of five Twite that flit about not bothered by us. They are giving great views until they drift away chattering in a twity manner.
Now the drizzle is falling in a solid sort of manner and the last mile and a half turns into a proper little bash back. Mmm if I just had the foresight to take those leggings. We arrive back at the car park rather strung out I put on the trousers to cut the wind chill on the way home and am off sorry if I didn’t hang around in the rain but sod that!
Just a word about these classes as a few people have asked about them these are run through the adult education dept of the college and the winter classes will be in the new enrolment in I think September[WATCH THE ORCADIAN] Tim has I think three classes once a month over the winter. Mid week saterday and Sunday. The first two last three or four hours. The one I go for is the Sunday class. This lasts from ten till four or dusk. And involves a walk of at least six miles what ever the weather. Commitment to going is important. however if your into it then you are out with someone who knows his stuff inside out and you will see birds lots of really good birds. If this isn’t enough he is also expert on the flora and archaeology. So its working out at less than a pound an hour where can you get a better bargin than that. Isn’t community education great!
dafi
Well-known member
Nice one Tim a good result. lets hope the chicks keep their heads down. To change the subjct completly i got a new fishing rod monday so had a shot off scapa pier catching a mackrel then over to the first barrier to get a codling well chuffed i was. Its a lot of years since i have been spinning off the rocks and in such weather. lots of tern activity on lamb holm although they wont make any thing of it now, got well chased off though!!
Sue Wright
Well-known member
Hi Dafi and Tim,
a good read from you both, especially about the Arctics, I really fell for them on Handa, though there's something so irresistible about Bonxies too, but we all seem to love 'em and loathe 'em...a little.
You always manage to take me out there with you Daf, you have such a great way of telling it all, even the rain had me wishing for waterproofs! I'm glad you've resigned yourself to the shortage in numbers as well as food, by far the best way.
Thanks for a great evening both. Good luck with the fishing Daf, it takes me back a year or two with Terry and our lad fishing for mackerel by the coast in Dorset, though how many I gutted I'll choose to forget!
Sue.
a good read from you both, especially about the Arctics, I really fell for them on Handa, though there's something so irresistible about Bonxies too, but we all seem to love 'em and loathe 'em...a little.
You always manage to take me out there with you Daf, you have such a great way of telling it all, even the rain had me wishing for waterproofs! I'm glad you've resigned yourself to the shortage in numbers as well as food, by far the best way.
Thanks for a great evening both. Good luck with the fishing Daf, it takes me back a year or two with Terry and our lad fishing for mackerel by the coast in Dorset, though how many I gutted I'll choose to forget!
Sue.
timwootton
Well-known member
Tis he, indeed - Dafi!!! - and he doesn't look a day older! I hadn't seen that, I'll bet he'll be delighted not only to have made the inner spreads of the Orcadian, but to be Cybercast through the ether of BirdForum - excellent!!!
Oh - well done on the mackerel by the way - I took my boat out two nights ago and got one caithe (which subsequently dropped off when nearing the boat) - then the engine conked under Hoxa Head and we only managed to limp back to port (our front garden).
Goldies must have been lovely - great birds in full dress.
Evening from me, Barrie.
Oh - well done on the mackerel by the way - I took my boat out two nights ago and got one caithe (which subsequently dropped off when nearing the boat) - then the engine conked under Hoxa Head and we only managed to limp back to port (our front garden).
Goldies must have been lovely - great birds in full dress.
Evening from me, Barrie.
Barrie Hamill
Well-known member
Evening Dafi, Tim and the thread regulars.
Dafi - another great evocative report. I was in Deerness tonight looking for Waders. Still trying to work out the tides and how quickly any exposed mud dissapears at each site. Managed to see 17 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 2 nice Knots in summer plumage. Quite a few juv Black-headed gulls about, so at least one species seems to have had some success.
Also this afternoon I had a Great Northern Diver off Barrier One
Tim - was interested in your Bonxie story. Funnily enough I have had 2 interesting Bonxie experiences this week. On Tuesday a couple of Gannets were passing by outside the house. Suddenly a Bonxie came on the scene and started chasing them. It managed to down the first one by grabbing its wing and the two of them plummeted to the sea, where I guess the gannet must have given up any food it had. The second gannet had landed and then both took off. Straight away the Bonxie again came after them. It approached them at twice the speed that they were flying and again he grabbed another (not sure if it was the other one?) by the wing and again plummeted to the sea. Interestingly the gannets seemed to be flying in quite a leisurely way, even after the first attack, so perhaps they didn't have any food? After a bit of a kerfuffle the gannets managed to fly away without the Bonxie in pursuit.
More spell-binding and perhaps more sinister, was the event that I witnessed this afternoon. Approaching Echna Loch by car I noticed 2 large birds tusseling in the sky. Once I reached the layby I was able to get out of the car and get my bins on them. It was a Bonxie and a Grey Heron. Both birds eventually spiralled to the surface of the loch and fierce squabling ensued. After what seemed about a minute the Bonxie managed to get the Heron's head and neck under the water. Then the Bonxie just sat there with its body on top of the neck and head of the Heron. It looked as if it was trying to drown it. Occassionaly the Bonxie appeared to try and take a chunk out of the Heron; this however seemed to give the Heron a chance to fight back but always the Bonxie got its dig in first and each time the head and neck of the Heron was forced back under the water, the Bonxie again sitting on top as if nothing was happening. For about one minute there was no struggle from the Heron.
Bonxie decided it was tea-time and started to try to eat the Heron. I'm not sure if the Heron was playing dead, but the Bonxie moved slightly, allowing the Heron to come up and this time stab the Bonxie with its bill (previously it had always tried to bite the Bonxie which was a most unsuccessful strategy). This had the desired effect; the Bonxie flew up, allowing the Heron a breather. The Heron was now sitting on the water like a duck. The Bonxie however would not be dererred and launced another couple of attacks. The Heron this time was able to keep its head an neck above water, and as the Bonxie again circled for another go the Heron managed to swim over to the relative safety of the reeds were it stayed whilst the Bonxie set itself down a few yards away. The Heron had managed to get away.
Nearby were a number of ducks including a family of Tufted Ducks, yet the Bonxie showed interest only in the Heron.
I'm sure the Bonxie wanted to drown and eat the Heron - it may have also wanted to do this with the Gannets as they didn't look as if they had been feeding, but instead were just passing. Perhaps the lack of fish etc is causing Bonxies to try and eat the birds it would normally harass?
Cheers,
Barrie
Dafi - another great evocative report. I was in Deerness tonight looking for Waders. Still trying to work out the tides and how quickly any exposed mud dissapears at each site. Managed to see 17 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 2 nice Knots in summer plumage. Quite a few juv Black-headed gulls about, so at least one species seems to have had some success.
Also this afternoon I had a Great Northern Diver off Barrier One
Tim - was interested in your Bonxie story. Funnily enough I have had 2 interesting Bonxie experiences this week. On Tuesday a couple of Gannets were passing by outside the house. Suddenly a Bonxie came on the scene and started chasing them. It managed to down the first one by grabbing its wing and the two of them plummeted to the sea, where I guess the gannet must have given up any food it had. The second gannet had landed and then both took off. Straight away the Bonxie again came after them. It approached them at twice the speed that they were flying and again he grabbed another (not sure if it was the other one?) by the wing and again plummeted to the sea. Interestingly the gannets seemed to be flying in quite a leisurely way, even after the first attack, so perhaps they didn't have any food? After a bit of a kerfuffle the gannets managed to fly away without the Bonxie in pursuit.
More spell-binding and perhaps more sinister, was the event that I witnessed this afternoon. Approaching Echna Loch by car I noticed 2 large birds tusseling in the sky. Once I reached the layby I was able to get out of the car and get my bins on them. It was a Bonxie and a Grey Heron. Both birds eventually spiralled to the surface of the loch and fierce squabling ensued. After what seemed about a minute the Bonxie managed to get the Heron's head and neck under the water. Then the Bonxie just sat there with its body on top of the neck and head of the Heron. It looked as if it was trying to drown it. Occassionaly the Bonxie appeared to try and take a chunk out of the Heron; this however seemed to give the Heron a chance to fight back but always the Bonxie got its dig in first and each time the head and neck of the Heron was forced back under the water, the Bonxie again sitting on top as if nothing was happening. For about one minute there was no struggle from the Heron.
Bonxie decided it was tea-time and started to try to eat the Heron. I'm not sure if the Heron was playing dead, but the Bonxie moved slightly, allowing the Heron to come up and this time stab the Bonxie with its bill (previously it had always tried to bite the Bonxie which was a most unsuccessful strategy). This had the desired effect; the Bonxie flew up, allowing the Heron a breather. The Heron was now sitting on the water like a duck. The Bonxie however would not be dererred and launced another couple of attacks. The Heron this time was able to keep its head an neck above water, and as the Bonxie again circled for another go the Heron managed to swim over to the relative safety of the reeds were it stayed whilst the Bonxie set itself down a few yards away. The Heron had managed to get away.
Nearby were a number of ducks including a family of Tufted Ducks, yet the Bonxie showed interest only in the Heron.
I'm sure the Bonxie wanted to drown and eat the Heron - it may have also wanted to do this with the Gannets as they didn't look as if they had been feeding, but instead were just passing. Perhaps the lack of fish etc is causing Bonxies to try and eat the birds it would normally harass?
Cheers,
Barrie
Sue Wright
Well-known member
Hi Barrie,
Just about to switch off when your post came through. I was fascinated by the 2nd Bonxie story, whoever would have thought it would go to such lengths to get a meal. I suppose it was hungry itself as well as having peckish dependants perhaps which is why it wasn't bothered by the Tufteds. An incredible tale of Nature for sure, thanks Barrie, all tales like that are amazing to read, though secretly I was pleased the Heron got away!
A wonderful read.
Sue.
Just about to switch off when your post came through. I was fascinated by the 2nd Bonxie story, whoever would have thought it would go to such lengths to get a meal. I suppose it was hungry itself as well as having peckish dependants perhaps which is why it wasn't bothered by the Tufteds. An incredible tale of Nature for sure, thanks Barrie, all tales like that are amazing to read, though secretly I was pleased the Heron got away!
A wonderful read.
Sue.
dafi
Well-known member
Hi Barrie. What a beast of a Bonxie. Aint shy you gota give it that. The last herons iv seen have looked pretty scaby and i wonder if they arent in moult now but even so its a big lump to take on. You can get tide tables from Pattersons in Bridge St Kirkwall,costs about £2.50 and has the various time diferences for around the place. GOOD STUFF!.
As for the Bonxie if you see it coming duck!!
As for the Bonxie if you see it coming duck!!
timwootton
Well-known member
Fascinating stuff Barrie - I've seen bonxies take a heron down, but it's been out at sea. The big bird can't get airborne again and ends up as dinner. Perhaps the bonxie thought it would have the same kind of success inshore?
They are brutes, aren't they - but I still love'em.
Oh, but I've also seen what a heron's bill can do to an adult coot (and a man's forearm, come to that,) so if only they learn when to 'talk' and when to 'poke' they'll be ok.
They are brutes, aren't they - but I still love'em.
Oh, but I've also seen what a heron's bill can do to an adult coot (and a man's forearm, come to that,) so if only they learn when to 'talk' and when to 'poke' they'll be ok.
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timwootton
Well-known member
Echnaloch Bay????
Other suggestions? - besides the isles, I mean.
dafi
Well-known member
Deerness St Peters pool.
Orphir Swanbister.
Im shure i went below Berstan one year but i cant mind on where.
Its some time around the first, early morning. But i have packed my tables along with every thing else. If anybody sees the tide times feel free to post them up.
Cant beat a feed of spoots and butter. the ultimate sea food bar none!!
anybody off patch know what we are on about?
Orphir Swanbister.
Im shure i went below Berstan one year but i cant mind on where.
Its some time around the first, early morning. But i have packed my tables along with every thing else. If anybody sees the tide times feel free to post them up.
Cant beat a feed of spoots and butter. the ultimate sea food bar none!!
anybody off patch know what we are on about?
dafi
Well-known member
SPOOTS a users guide.
SPOOTS
Spoots are a seasonal delicacy revealed by the tides a few times a year. Razorfish as spoots are called im other places are a shellfish that resemble cut throat razors. Measuring between 18 and 28cm or 7to 11 inches... On the lowest of the low tides the sand banks they live in are exposed enough to venture out on to fish.
Dressing up
To be kitted out for the task you need to be warm as you will be on the exposed beach at any time of night or day. Its down to the tide.times.
Right you have wellies ,oilskin trousers. Knee pads are good. Marrygolds... warm short jacket with deep pockets.
You will be carrying a bucket and your longest bread knife.
Technique
The idea is to go to the furthest out sand bars and go out and return ahead of the tide. Slowly walking backwards taking little steps[I kid you not] watch out for the tell tale jet of water. This we call a spoot. The spoot shows where it is. But it is also jettisoning water in order to dive down in the sand. It has a long foot protruding below the shell and is now going to drag its self to deeper down and safety.
Now the cold wet hard part.
To catch your spoot plunge the knife in to the sand by the spoot and cut till you feel the shell. You don’t want to damage it just stop it from digging in. A firm pressure should hold it in place. So far so good.. Next push your other hand into the sand till you can get a grip on the spoot .. Watching your fingers on the knife and shell.. Having a good grip with thumb and fore finger gently start a circular motion until the sand starts to liquefy and you can withdraw your prize and pop it in your bucket.
What could be easier repeat thirty times and toddle off with a happy smile
The catch
Bundle your spoots with the blow holes to the top and stand in fresh water for a while.[they will spoot every where]
Open with a small sharp knife
Remove the dark fruit[guts] and the rough end of the blow hole. Wash.
Cooking
Have ready. Warm buttered bread, a warm plate, A glass of whisky.
Cooked fast is best sixty seconds is plenty.
Fry in a lot of hot butter. A sprinkling of salt and pepper. Coup it out on plates pour the juice over the top and eat with the bread.
The ambrosia of the seas.
Forty quid up west guv.!!
SPOOTS
Spoots are a seasonal delicacy revealed by the tides a few times a year. Razorfish as spoots are called im other places are a shellfish that resemble cut throat razors. Measuring between 18 and 28cm or 7to 11 inches... On the lowest of the low tides the sand banks they live in are exposed enough to venture out on to fish.
Dressing up
To be kitted out for the task you need to be warm as you will be on the exposed beach at any time of night or day. Its down to the tide.times.
Right you have wellies ,oilskin trousers. Knee pads are good. Marrygolds... warm short jacket with deep pockets.
You will be carrying a bucket and your longest bread knife.
Technique
The idea is to go to the furthest out sand bars and go out and return ahead of the tide. Slowly walking backwards taking little steps[I kid you not] watch out for the tell tale jet of water. This we call a spoot. The spoot shows where it is. But it is also jettisoning water in order to dive down in the sand. It has a long foot protruding below the shell and is now going to drag its self to deeper down and safety.
Now the cold wet hard part.
To catch your spoot plunge the knife in to the sand by the spoot and cut till you feel the shell. You don’t want to damage it just stop it from digging in. A firm pressure should hold it in place. So far so good.. Next push your other hand into the sand till you can get a grip on the spoot .. Watching your fingers on the knife and shell.. Having a good grip with thumb and fore finger gently start a circular motion until the sand starts to liquefy and you can withdraw your prize and pop it in your bucket.
What could be easier repeat thirty times and toddle off with a happy smile
The catch
Bundle your spoots with the blow holes to the top and stand in fresh water for a while.[they will spoot every where]
Open with a small sharp knife
Remove the dark fruit[guts] and the rough end of the blow hole. Wash.
Cooking
Have ready. Warm buttered bread, a warm plate, A glass of whisky.
Cooked fast is best sixty seconds is plenty.
Fry in a lot of hot butter. A sprinkling of salt and pepper. Coup it out on plates pour the juice over the top and eat with the bread.
The ambrosia of the seas.
Forty quid up west guv.!!
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