11th October 2011

An unexpectedly strong westerly reaching force 8 early in the day called for another sea watch, and a five hour effort again provided a full list of sightings. A juvenile Sabines Gull showed well after arriving from the east at 10.15hrs and later made two other approaches to the island, finally flying off to the north west, while 7 Leach's Petrels were counted during the morning, but a single dark phase Arctic proved to be the only skua species observed today. The main feature of the sea watch was probably the amount of Kittiwakes with 36 adult and 44 juveniles, most noted after high water; also on the log were 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Little Gulls, 18 Gannets, 69 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 20 Guillemots, 4 Razorbills, 10 Sandwich Terns and 7 Common Terns. The Brent have increased to 10 birds, possibly 2 family groups, while Curlew reached a massive count of 580 birds. Despite the strong wind a few migrants arrived with 16 Meadow Pipits and 6 Lesser Redpolls in off the sea and a flock of 250 Starlings seen over the east hoyle bank, also 3 Golden Plover flying west. A single House Martin flying through was the only hirundine, and a Rock Pipit and a Chaffinch the only significant passerines down on the ground. Both Little Egret and Peregrine made an appearance, bringing the species total for the day to an impressive 47.
(DB)