Another big storm at St Ives

A force 10 north-westerly gale overnight ensured impressive numbers of seabirds this morning off St. Ives Island.  Two year ticks and the best tally of Grey Phalaropes this year was worth the cold, the wind, the heavy showers and the £3.70 car park ticket.  Sadly the seven Little Auks were just too tricky and distant to photo well, as was the distant Leach's Petrel.  Below are some of the images of the day.  Apologies for the quality but considering the poor light and wind and distance of these birds, this was the best I could do.

Totals for the day included 28 Grey Phalarope, 7 Little Auk, 1 Arctic Skua (ad), 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, several Great Northern Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater, 3 Balearic Shearwater, 3 Little Gull (all ads.), 1 Leach's Petrel, 130+ Common Scoter (mostly imms/females). 100's Auks, 100's Kittiwakes.

EXIF Detail: Aperture F/5.6.  Shutter speed 1/1000s.  ISO 800.  Exposure -0.3EV. White Balance Cloudy. Focal length 840mm.