Orkney Islands · 58.96°N

Birds of Stromness

What has actually been seen around Stromness: 123 species, the most recorded garden birds, the busiest months, and what to put out for them.

Species on record: 123 within 5 km
Observation records: 3,657 since 2010
Most recorded bird: European Herring Gull
Busiest month: June
Elevation: 7 m
Daylight, June / December: 18.5 h / 6.2 h

What the records say about Stromness

123 bird species have been recorded within 5 km of the centre of Stromness (Orkney Islands) since 2010, across 3,657 public observation records shared through GBIF. The most recorded are European Herring Gull, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Common Eider.

Water shapes this list. 61% of records near Stromness are ducks, geese, gulls, waders, herons and other waterbirds — European Herring Gull, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Common Eider lead them — which points to coast, estuary, river or open water within range. Starling is still the most logged garden bird.

8 birds of prey are on record nearby, including Short-eared Owl and Common Kestrel.

Records peak in June and are lowest in February — about 336.0 times as many in the busiest month. Part of that is birds (migrants and winter visitors), part is people: more birders are out in good weather, so treat the curve as activity, not a census.

Kirkwall, 20 km to the east, has more species on record (151 against 123). Birds logged far more often around Stromness than there include Northern Lapwing.

Daylight runs from 18 h 30 min at midsummer to 6 h 11 min at midwinter here. Sunrise is about 6:02 in mid-April and 3:59 in late June; the dawn chorus starts 30–60 minutes earlier.

Most recorded birds near Stromness

#	Bird	Records
1	European Herring GullLarus argentatus	176
2	Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus	167
3	Common EiderSomateria mollissima	140
4	StarlingSturnus vulgaris	140
5	Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus	137
6	European ShagPhalacrocorax aristotelis	117
7	Black GuillemotCepphus grylle	111
8	RookCorvus frugilegus	108
9	Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus	104
10	Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquata	104
11	Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto	101
12	House SparrowPasser domesticus	101
13	Barn SwallowHirundo rustica	92
14	Rock PigeonColumba livia	86
15	Common GullLarus canus	86
16	Hooded CrowCorvus cornix	75
17	Common RedshankTringa totanus	73
18	Common MurreUria aalge	66
19	Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis	66
20	Pied WagtailMotacilla alba	64

Records by month

What to put out in Stromness

Foods for the most recorded garden birds here, from our species notes.

Starling
Suet · Mealworms
Collared Dove
Seed mix
House Sparrow
Seed mix · Sunflower hearts · Suet
Pied Wagtail
Mealworms
Blackbird
Soaked sultanas · Apples · Mealworms
Jackdaw
Suet · Kitchen scraps

Seasonal bird notes for Orkney Islands

What's arriving, what to feed and when to clean feeders, written for UK gardens. One email a month at most.

Nearby places

Frequently asked

What birds visit gardens in Stromness?

The most recorded garden birds within 5 km of Stromness are Starling, Rook, Collared Dove, House Sparrow and Barn Swallow, based on 3,657 public records since 2010.

How many bird species have been seen near Stromness?

123 species have at least one record within 5 km of the town centre since 2010 (GBIF).

When is the best month for birds in Stromness?

Observation records peak in June and are lowest in February. Sunrise in late June is around 3:59.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.