Where’s Wally

So when you put together a mammal tour for your guests there’s a list of species you expect to see and on top of that there’s a wishlist; Minke Whale, Common Dolphin, Otter and the like. Then beyond that there’s a laughable ‘well we can only hope’ list.

So yesterday we watched a small pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins, we were mesmerized by a female badger and truly engaged by a young Pine Marten. We were not however prepared for the enormity of what has to be the mammal of the tour. Laid out on a beach at Wick was a male Walrus.

It was wonderful to have my guests see him. However, I cannot tell you how much the sight of this wonderful beast meant to me. I have waited for an eternity to see one. I have searched the beach between Winterton and Horsey willing one to part the Grey Seals with its enormous bulk for year upon year. I now have one less item on my bucket list.