16/04/2026
There was a landing by an unusual visitor in Stronsay this morning 🦭➕➕!
🦭 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐑𝐔𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐘! (We need a walrus emoji!)
This morning a walrus has hauled out at Stronsay — and yes, you read that correctly.
This is a genuinely rare event. The last walrus to visit Orkney was in March 2018, when an animal briefly stopped at North Ronaldsay before making its way to Sanday, where it caused considerable excitement among local schoolchildren and anyone else lucky enough to be in the right place. Before that, it was 2013, also in North Ronaldsay, so today's visitor is something quite special.
Walruses are Arctic animals, native to the sea ice and subarctic waters of the northern hemisphere. The individuals that turn up on our shores are typically young roving animals - adolescents striking out beyond their usual range, possibly following food, possibly just exploring, likely due to climate change to some extent. We've seen a handful of wandering walruses around northern Europe in recent years, and sightings do seem to be becoming less unusual, though whether that reflects a genuine increase or simply better recording is hard to say. Closer to home, a walrus was recorded near Elie on the Fife coast in January this year, and just last month one was photographed resting on a beach on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula. Today's visitor in Stronsay suggests they may be on the move again.
There are some concerns about a wound on this animal. We have advised contacting BDMLR Head Office for guidance, though in situations like this there is often little that can practically be done - nature generally takes its course and there are obviously difficulties in safely getting close to an animal of this size let alone treating it. What this does mean is that keeping your distance and allowing the animal to rest undisturbed is even more important than usual. Stress will not help its recovery. The best thing anyone can do for this walrus right now is leave it in peace.
Walruses are specialist bottom feeders, diving to the seafloor to forage for benthic invertebrates. Their primary diet is molluscs - clams, mussels and cockles - but they will also take worms, gastropods, cephalopods, crustaceans and sea cucumbers. They locate prey using their highly sensitive vibrissae (those impressive whiskers), and extract the soft parts using powerful suction - essentially hoovering the flesh straight out of the shell. A single adult can consume thousands of clams in one feeding session, eating up to 3-6% of their body weight per day! The good news is that UK waters are not without suitable food. Previous walrus visitors that have stayed for extended periods have not lost condition, suggesting they have been feeding successfully. So while Stronsay pier may not be the Arctic, it seems the broader neighbourhood has something to offer.
Which brings us to the most important part of this post.
🛑 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐘
We understand that a cordon has been put in place around the animal - please respect it. A well-rested, undisturbed walrus is far healthier than a stressed one forced back to sea too soon. Especially one that is nursing an injury.
In the absence of a specific walrus watching code, we'd recommend following the NatureScot Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code, which applies to seals and can equally be applied here. The key principles are simple:
‼️ Keep your distance — further than you think is necessary
‼️ Never position yourself between the animal and the water
‼️ Keep noise to a minimum
‼️ Keep dogs on a lead and well away from the animal
‼️ Do not use drones
‼️ Respect any cordons or signage in place
‼️ If the animal shows signs of agitation — raising its head, changing position, moving towards the water — you are too close
The best wildlife encounters always happen when the animal doesn't know you're there. Enjoy what is, let's be honest, an extraordinary morning on Stronsay, and do it in a way that gives this animal the best possible chance of recovering and continuing its journey in good health.
Full code here: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-coasts-and-seas/scottish-marine-wildlife-watching-code
📷 Askew (taken from distance with a zoom lens)
