Weather: Wind WNW 3-4 increasing to 5-6. Bright with sunny spells.
Following a strong overnight blow and with wind speed increasing as the day progressed, a sea watch was in order. This lasted four and a quarter hours over the high tide period. From the outset it was clear that birds were moving through with skuas, shearwaters, terns, Gannets and Kittiwakes all being seen in good numbers.
120 Gannets were out by the wind farm with a few moving closer. Manx Shearwaters totalled 40 during the day, mostly in small groups but with one party of 23. 400 Sandwich, 100 Common and just one Little Tern fished off the North End and 30 Kittiwakes were noted with numbers peaking after the tide.
Eighteen (18) Arctic Skuas harassed the terns but the bird of the day appeared just before high tide when a sub-adult Long-tailed Skua was found. Fortunately for the observers, this bird was watched over a fairly prolonged period, albeit spending quite a bit of time sat on the sea, but allowing essential identification features to be clinched whilst in flight.
Other seabirds included 6 Great Crested Grebe, 50 Common Scoter and 2 Guillemot.
The only passerine of note was a Wheatear along the west side of the island.
Some pictures from today: Bar-tailed Godwit
Ichneumon fly
and evening light
photos AS
Some pictures from today: Bar-tailed Godwit
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