#papawestray

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 13 July 2021

On the rocky outcrops near the pier on Papa Westray, Orkney, there were carpets of blooming Thymus polytrichus subsp. britannicus (wild thyme) that was attracting pollinators. This creeping, mat-forming subshrub needs free draining conditions typical of dry grassland, heaths and dunes.

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Sunday 4 July 2021

In the machair of Orkney the Dactylorhiza purpurella (Northern marsh orchid) form large colonies. Everywhere you look the plants are putting on a show! Machair is a Gaelic word meaning a fertile low lying grassy plain. This is one of the rarest habitats in Europe which only occurs on the exposed western coasts of Scotland and Ireland. The soil is mainly composed of sand made up of crushed shells which are regularly blown ashore by Atlantic gales.

Jill Raggett

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 30 June 2021

Growing in a flower border outside a farmhouse on Papa Westray, Orkney, this vibrant poppy was probably Papaver (Oriental Group) 'Türkenlouis' (oriental poppy). The deeply fringed petals and bright red of the flowers made this herbaceous perennial a real showstopper at this time of year.

Jill Raggett

[jovifan64]

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Just love these Puffins Credit to @visitscotland : If you head to Orkney between late April & August, you may see puffins 😍 Hand's up who wants to go! 🙋 Love this wee clip by @papayranger taken on Papa Westray! 📽️ #PapaWestray Puffins #Orkney #LoveOrkney #VisitOrkney #Scotland #ScotlandIsNow #VisitScotland #LoveGreatBritain #vsOrkney https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaDhr4hCdW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ev8cw5r3ya0b