Calf of Eday

Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=59.23
longitude=-02.73
GridReference=HY580393
celtic name=
norse name=Kálfr
meaning of name=
area= 243 ha
area rank= 99
highest elevation=The Graand 54 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Orkney
local authority=Orkney Islands
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] [Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) "The Scottish Islands". Edinburgh. Canongate.] [ [http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/pl-isle.htm Orkney Placenames] ] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) "Orkneyinga Saga". Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9] Pedersen, Roy (January 1992) "Orkneyjar ok Katanes" (map, Inverness, Nevis Print)]

The Calf of Eday (Old Norse: "Kalfr" ) is an island in Orkney, Scotland, lying north east of Eday.

"Calf" is a name usually given to a small island alongside a larger one, e.g. Calf of Man.

History

From the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, the Calf of Eday was home to a salt works, remains of which can still be seen.

The island is home to three large chambered cairns, the remains of prehistoric houses and a lighthouse.

Wildlife

The dominant vegetation on the island is dry dwarf-shrub heath dominated by Heather (Calluna vulgaris), with smaller areas of wet heath, semi-improved grassland and coastal grassland. The Calf of Eday supports 32 species of breeding birds and is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for its importance as a nesting area. Gulls and Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) nest in the dry heath and grassland areas, whilst Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and auks nest on the cliffs. [cite web| url=http://www.jncc.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1920| title=Calf of Eday SPA Description| publisher=Joint Nature Conservation Committee| accessdate=2007-11-11]

References