← Back✦ Historic site

Lime Banks

📷 Claire Pegrum · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsWildlifeInsects

Dogs welcome

Getting here

58.81896, -2.89662

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦84+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Curlew and Eider
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦84+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Curlew and Eider
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

5 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Curlew, Eider, Oystercatcher +81 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Curlew, Eider, Oystercatcher +81 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Silver-ground Carpet, Small Square-spot, Flame Shoulder +93 more · last seen 2022; Insects — Silver-ground Carpet, Small Square-spot, Flame Shoulder +93 more · last seen 2022

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Oysterplant, Sea Sandwort, Frosted Orache +16 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Oysterplant, Sea Sandwort, Frosted Orache +16 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 9Cycling route

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route

Wildlife to spot

4,925 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

4,925 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds85 species

springsummer

2025

Curlew · Eider · Oystercatcher · Starling · Redshank +80

CurlewNumenius arquata
EiderSomateria mollissima
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
RedshankTringa totanus
FulmarFulmarus glacialis
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Common GullLarus canus
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
LinnetLinaria cannabina
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus
ShagGulosus aristotelis
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
House SparrowPasser domesticus
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus
SwallowHirundo rustica
Rock DoveColumba livia
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
BlackbirdTurdus merula
GreenfinchChloris chloris
GannetMorus bassanus
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Arctic TernSterna paradisaea
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2024
RavenCorvus corax
Great SkuaStercorarius skua
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Greylag GooseAnser anser
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe
TurnstoneArenaria interpres
DunnockPrunella modularis
Common GuillemotUria aalge
Mute SwanCygnus olor
ShelduckTadorna tadorna
RazorbillAlca torda2024
Red-throated DiverGavia stellata2023
CorncrakeCrex crex2020
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2024
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
SanderlingCalidris alba2023
SnipeGallinago gallinago2022
DunlinCalidris alpina
Common TernSterna hirundo
CootFulica atra
JackdawColoeus monedula
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Great Northern DiverGavia immer
PuffinFratercula arctica2024
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis2024
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2023
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2023
GreenshankTringa nebularia2023
TwiteLinaria flavirostris2023
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2022
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
ShovelerSpatula clypeata
RookCorvus frugilegus
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
GadwallMareca strepera
TealAnas crecca
WigeonMareca penelope
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2023
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2023
SiskinSpinus spinus2023
MerlinFalco columbarius2023
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2021
BuzzardButeo buteo2020
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2020
Bee-eaterMerops apiaster2020

🦌

Mammals3 species

springsummer

2025

Grey Seal · Rabbit · Brown Hare

Grey SealHalichoerus grypus
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2023
Brown HareLepus europaeus2023

🐝

Insects96 species

summer

2022

Silver-ground Carpet · Small Square-spot · Flame Shoulder · Beautiful Golden Y · Clouded-bordered Brindle +91

Silver-ground CarpetXanthorhoe montanata2019
Small Square-spotDiarsia rubi2019
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta2019
Beautiful Golden YAutographa pulchrina2019
Clouded-bordered BrindleApamea crenata2019
Dark ArchesApamea monoglypha2019
Map-winged SwiftKorscheltellus fusconebulosa2019
Smoky WainscotMythimna impura2019
Ingrailed ClayDiarsia mendica2019
Dusky BrocadeApamea remissa2019
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba2019
SpectacleAbrostola tripartita2019
Pebble ProminentNotodonta ziczac2019
White ErmineSpilosoma lubricipeda2019
July HighflyerHydriomena furcata2019
Red CarpetXanthorhoe decoloraria2019
Small Dotted BuffPhotedes minima2019
Bright-line Brown-eyeLacanobia oleracea2019
SnoutHypena proboscidalis2019
Burnished BrassDiachrysia chrysitis2019
Square-spot RusticXestia xanthographa2019
Small RivuletPerizoma alchemillata2019
Middle-barred MinorOligia fasciuncula2019
Common RusticMesapamea secalis2019
Light EmeraldCampaea margaritaria2019
Garden TigerArctia caja2019
Antler MothCerapteryx graminis2019
Ghost MothHepialus humuli2019
Poplar Hawk-mothLaothoe populi2019
Gold SpotPlusia festucae2019
True Lover's KnotLycophotia porphyrea2019
Silver YAutographa gamma2019
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2019
ConfusedApamea furva2019
Garden CarpetXanthorhoe fluctuata2019
Purple BarCosmorhoe ocellata2019
Lempke's Gold SpotPlusia putnami2019
Northern RusticStandfussiana lucernea2019
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata2019
Rosy RusticHydraecia micacea2019
Flame CarpetXanthorhoe designata2019
Six-striped RusticXestia sexstrigata2019
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata2019
Common PugEupithecia vulgata2019
Pinion-streaked SnoutSchrankia costaestrigalis2019
Twin-spot CarpetMesotype didymata2019
Great Yellow BumblebeeBombus distinguendus2021
White-line DartEuxoa tritici2019
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2019
Common CarpetEpirrhoe alternata2019
Rosy MinorLitoligia literosa2019
Common Marbled CarpetDysstroma truncata2019
Common White WaveCabera pusaria2019
Grass RivuletPerizoma albulata2019
Moss Carder BeeBombus muscorum2021
Angle ShadesPhlogophora meticulosa2019
Humming-bird Hawk-mothMacroglossum stellatarum2019
ChevronEulithis testata2019
Haworth's MinorCelaena haworthii2019
Dotted ClayXestia baja2019
Light ArchesApamea lithoxylaea2019
Green CarpetColostygia pectinataria2019
LychnisHadena bicruris2019
Common WaveCabera exanthemata2019
Hebrew CharacterOrthosia gothica2019
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2021
Small Garden BumblebeeBombus hortorum2021
Gypsy Cuckoo BeeBombus bohemicus2021
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2021
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2020
Brindled OchreDasypolia templi2019
HeraldScoliopteryx libatrix2019
Pearly UnderwingPeridroma saucia2019
Small WainscotDenticucullus pygmina2019
Pink-barred SallowXanthia togata2019
SallowCirrhia icteritia2019
Flounced RusticLuperina testacea2019
Large EarAmphipoea lucens2019
Archer's DartAgrotis vestigialis2019
CrescentHelotropha leucostigma2019
Small Fan-footed WaveIdaea biselata2019
Crescent StripedApamea oblonga2019
Dark SpinachPelurga comitata2019
PhoenixEulithis prunata2019
Bedstraw Hawk-mothHyles gallii2019
Blood-veinTimandra comae2019
Dark Sword-grassAgrotis ipsilon2019
Grey Mountain CarpetEntephria caesiata2019
Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata2019
Narrow-winged PugEupithecia nanata2019
CampionSideridis rivularis2019
Marbled CoronetHadena confusa2019
Sandy CarpetPerizoma flavofasciata2019
Double DartGraphiphora augur2019
ShearsHada plebeja2019

🌿

Plants31 species

summer

2025

Oysterplant · Sea Sandwort · Frosted Orache · Great Willowherb · Sea-kale +26

OysterplantMertensia maritima
Sea SandwortHonckenya peploides
Frosted OracheAtriplex laciniata
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum
Sea-kaleCrambe maritima
Common Hemp-nettleGaleopsis tetrahit
Hedge BindweedCalystegia sepium
RedshankPersicaria maculosa
Wild-oatAvena fatua2024
Sun SpurgeEuphorbia helioscopia2024
Purple Ramping-fumitoryFumaria purpurea2024
Corn SpurreySpergula arvensis2024
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum var. maritimum2024
Sea-MilkwortLysimachia maritima2024
Lesser SpearwortRanunculus flammula2024
Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
ThriftArmeria maritima2023
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris2023
AllseedLinum radiola2022
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2022
Sea RocketCakile maritima2022
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2022
Small NettleUrtica urens2021
Sticky GroundselSenecio viscosus2021
Dame's-violetHesperis matronalis2021
Viper's-buglossEchium vulgare2021
Canary-grassPhalaris canariensis2019
Kidney VetchAnthyllis vulneraria2019
Mountain EverlastingAntennaria dioica2019

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

4,925 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds85 species

springsummer

2025

Curlew · Eider · Oystercatcher · Starling · Redshank +80

CurlewNumenius arquata
EiderSomateria mollissima
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
RedshankTringa totanus
FulmarFulmarus glacialis
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Common GullLarus canus
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
LinnetLinaria cannabina
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus
ShagGulosus aristotelis
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
House SparrowPasser domesticus
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus
SwallowHirundo rustica
Rock DoveColumba livia
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
BlackbirdTurdus merula
GreenfinchChloris chloris
GannetMorus bassanus
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Arctic TernSterna paradisaea
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2024
RavenCorvus corax
Great SkuaStercorarius skua
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Greylag GooseAnser anser
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe
TurnstoneArenaria interpres
DunnockPrunella modularis
Common GuillemotUria aalge
Mute SwanCygnus olor
ShelduckTadorna tadorna
RazorbillAlca torda2024
Red-throated DiverGavia stellata2023
CorncrakeCrex crex2020
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2024
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
SanderlingCalidris alba2023
SnipeGallinago gallinago2022
DunlinCalidris alpina
Common TernSterna hirundo
CootFulica atra
JackdawColoeus monedula
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Great Northern DiverGavia immer
PuffinFratercula arctica2024
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis2024
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2023
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2023
GreenshankTringa nebularia2023
TwiteLinaria flavirostris2023
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2022
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
ShovelerSpatula clypeata
RookCorvus frugilegus
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
GadwallMareca strepera
TealAnas crecca
WigeonMareca penelope
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2023
WoodcockScolopax rusticola2023
SiskinSpinus spinus2023
MerlinFalco columbarius2023
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2021
BuzzardButeo buteo2020
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2020
Bee-eaterMerops apiaster2020

🦌

Mammals3 species

springsummer

2025

Grey Seal · Rabbit · Brown Hare

Grey SealHalichoerus grypus
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2023
Brown HareLepus europaeus2023

🐝

Insects96 species

summer

2022

Silver-ground Carpet · Small Square-spot · Flame Shoulder · Beautiful Golden Y · Clouded-bordered Brindle +91

Silver-ground CarpetXanthorhoe montanata2019
Small Square-spotDiarsia rubi2019
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta2019
Beautiful Golden YAutographa pulchrina2019
Clouded-bordered BrindleApamea crenata2019
Dark ArchesApamea monoglypha2019
Map-winged SwiftKorscheltellus fusconebulosa2019
Smoky WainscotMythimna impura2019
Ingrailed ClayDiarsia mendica2019
Dusky BrocadeApamea remissa2019
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba2019
SpectacleAbrostola tripartita2019
Pebble ProminentNotodonta ziczac2019
White ErmineSpilosoma lubricipeda2019
July HighflyerHydriomena furcata2019
Red CarpetXanthorhoe decoloraria2019
Small Dotted BuffPhotedes minima2019
Bright-line Brown-eyeLacanobia oleracea2019
SnoutHypena proboscidalis2019
Burnished BrassDiachrysia chrysitis2019
Square-spot RusticXestia xanthographa2019
Small RivuletPerizoma alchemillata2019
Middle-barred MinorOligia fasciuncula2019
Common RusticMesapamea secalis2019
Light EmeraldCampaea margaritaria2019
Garden TigerArctia caja2019
Antler MothCerapteryx graminis2019
Ghost MothHepialus humuli2019
Poplar Hawk-mothLaothoe populi2019
Gold SpotPlusia festucae2019
True Lover's KnotLycophotia porphyrea2019
Silver YAutographa gamma2019
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2019
ConfusedApamea furva2019
Garden CarpetXanthorhoe fluctuata2019
Purple BarCosmorhoe ocellata2019
Lempke's Gold SpotPlusia putnami2019
Northern RusticStandfussiana lucernea2019
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata2019
Rosy RusticHydraecia micacea2019
Flame CarpetXanthorhoe designata2019
Six-striped RusticXestia sexstrigata2019
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata2019
Common PugEupithecia vulgata2019
Pinion-streaked SnoutSchrankia costaestrigalis2019
Twin-spot CarpetMesotype didymata2019
Great Yellow BumblebeeBombus distinguendus2021
White-line DartEuxoa tritici2019
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2019
Common CarpetEpirrhoe alternata2019
Rosy MinorLitoligia literosa2019
Common Marbled CarpetDysstroma truncata2019
Common White WaveCabera pusaria2019
Grass RivuletPerizoma albulata2019
Moss Carder BeeBombus muscorum2021
Angle ShadesPhlogophora meticulosa2019
Humming-bird Hawk-mothMacroglossum stellatarum2019
ChevronEulithis testata2019
Haworth's MinorCelaena haworthii2019
Dotted ClayXestia baja2019
Light ArchesApamea lithoxylaea2019
Green CarpetColostygia pectinataria2019
LychnisHadena bicruris2019
Common WaveCabera exanthemata2019
Hebrew CharacterOrthosia gothica2019
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2021
Small Garden BumblebeeBombus hortorum2021
Gypsy Cuckoo BeeBombus bohemicus2021
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2021
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2020
Brindled OchreDasypolia templi2019
HeraldScoliopteryx libatrix2019
Pearly UnderwingPeridroma saucia2019
Small WainscotDenticucullus pygmina2019
Pink-barred SallowXanthia togata2019
SallowCirrhia icteritia2019
Flounced RusticLuperina testacea2019
Large EarAmphipoea lucens2019
Archer's DartAgrotis vestigialis2019
CrescentHelotropha leucostigma2019
Small Fan-footed WaveIdaea biselata2019
Crescent StripedApamea oblonga2019
Dark SpinachPelurga comitata2019
PhoenixEulithis prunata2019
Bedstraw Hawk-mothHyles gallii2019
Blood-veinTimandra comae2019
Dark Sword-grassAgrotis ipsilon2019
Grey Mountain CarpetEntephria caesiata2019
Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata2019
Narrow-winged PugEupithecia nanata2019
CampionSideridis rivularis2019
Marbled CoronetHadena confusa2019
Sandy CarpetPerizoma flavofasciata2019
Double DartGraphiphora augur2019
ShearsHada plebeja2019

🌿

Plants31 species

summer

2025

Oysterplant · Sea Sandwort · Frosted Orache · Great Willowherb · Sea-kale +26

OysterplantMertensia maritima
Sea SandwortHonckenya peploides
Frosted OracheAtriplex laciniata
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum
Sea-kaleCrambe maritima
Common Hemp-nettleGaleopsis tetrahit
Hedge BindweedCalystegia sepium
RedshankPersicaria maculosa
Wild-oatAvena fatua2024
Sun SpurgeEuphorbia helioscopia2024
Purple Ramping-fumitoryFumaria purpurea2024
Corn SpurreySpergula arvensis2024
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum var. maritimum2024
Sea-MilkwortLysimachia maritima2024
Lesser SpearwortRanunculus flammula2024
Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
ThriftArmeria maritima2023
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris2023
AllseedLinum radiola2022
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2022
Sea RocketCakile maritima2022
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2022
Small NettleUrtica urens2021
Sticky GroundselSenecio viscosus2021
Dame's-violetHesperis matronalis2021
Viper's-buglossEchium vulgare2021
Canary-grassPhalaris canariensis2019
Kidney VetchAnthyllis vulneraria2019
Mountain EverlastingAntennaria dioica2019

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Claire Pegrum · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Wreckage from SS Irene, Lime Banks, South Ronaldsay, Orkney

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🌱Marengo Community GardenUrban park3.5 km→🌱Hope Community Play ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱Hope Community Play ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱Hope Community Play ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱Hope Community Play ParkUrban park3.6 km→🌱South Ronaldsay Golf ClubUrban park3.8 km→

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