A strong north westerly forecast showed some promise and duly delivered some pleasing seabirds, all relatively close inshore today. One or two crackers but no fireworks, one might say today.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI_lQDekerb1_6w27ClQV3TdpOML2xPqqxZn-zj09jkN8ZzRH3CDh64y3ZQSAKCENh68tGY1D2ZwZpk1mqnys3yTkGifDeeUscl7YUF18qYnl3KVdlWQ4z7mvOwf_YOmpEaXs70Lwavk/s400/pomskua-stives-051109+044.jpg)
One of the highlights (above) was a single Pomarine Skua skimming low over the water. The Balearic Shearwater below was one of fifteen seen during the morning.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z7M0LtHr734W6R20TrkCpYmnv39POGlwUBNY1ocTt4DfEAfaBsWzqF6S4Nrb6xSkNT6WZWLZB3K4lwABrjHOjvvbuo7_CuPufyVop8I-t4HmW1LvBan8N7JGiNtXBXImym_OGu0hYuU/s400/balearic-stives-051109+244.jpg)
Common Scoter - several darker males and duller brown females passing the island.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM5z6b5tNe6rkfwvK4cYHT_L7jZMIdCMs6FeReK9y0VEK31zxlLnmOuFZi6hnceOM9u74Fwzk17FN6mxlWuvcXjZZf54tiR4GvcH4S4v1kkg2oXKAlcPg7hw7isr9994ALVL9FehUDNs/s400/commonscoter-stives-051109+146.jpg)
A single first winter Common Tern was the only tern seen today.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyL6PTHJLdzdCmbr9IZFgg7xheoYavgEXjNq01gbRb6ADcKpvThoqAmZc2n7R8Fn6Tgn49Cdnx6-1-UqpQPDE7nrhnfeUydUXC3tx6w2TTyaP7dLjxVY58Xfw92xTH3cGvoJrGnpKS9c/s400/commontern-stives-051109+298.jpg)
The grey rump and fading dark secondary wing bar can be seen on the image below.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybGuzh5Iyb1pQgy9-OiErJ82298EdVxgjUgDaWjb67pPw1CBtjUp2FG5RjHAQiAElSbNesfib_XmPmsqCfgYA1-5AndeFfGoPnK2I7XlkLrQ0DBApMCuac5arI1lxylD0ZpXW-dUtFtA/s400/commontern-stives-051109+291.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIpd3XTvIBC5tQ_wswVhorB3koOV9UWAJVFZuNnuienXKfoY1AfTGNNKl7UdvhH8coevkrC116KA_i2NhgY4YhQgMiAXfDKaN6mmZM8Hd5XUGWl-igvng4SNbOCh4v0uaHt1VDH2A2D8/s400/commontern-stives-051109+301.jpg)
Thousands of Kittiwakes were streaming past the island. It was pleasing to see that 50% at least were juveniles, indicating a successful breeding season.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXMNzm1AfpmVH7vSde_BgEnXp9H5PZG06O15e-cbTCVukbmH3J0mXFApRTbNYdv2nDV4BEdxWCKUD5ijpibOlPlZ37AzOXh_MzxUdPmgFfIB567Ryu_Y2yPLnHCQfks0DsyXG1K4AOMI/s400/kittiwake-stives-051109+262.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdtiswOzOiPMqxchKLOzM5tgUZCpYqwZXrjGibuXQz8e-ED6mM5f5KezHVdjgHE1rnPqeH5bVAzDU8gNcMnaIFwlRqK-VZf9zIkwEXtHWR9b1BlSnGFmUAA8Thrm6zB_nrNvFpOkS0so/s400/kittiwake-stives-051109+272.jpg)
Totals from 7.30am to 11.30am were as follows:
1 Arctic Skua
10 Great Skua
1 Common Tern
1 Grey Phalarope
1 Little Auk
5 Great Northern Diver
1 Black-throated Diver
1000's Kittiwakes, 50% of them juveniles.
15 Balearic Shearwater
3 Manx Shearwater
2 Little Gull (1st years)
2 Mediterranean Gull
What a great shot Steve, or as one could say a real "CRACKER" good total as well.
ReplyDeleteI missed out again, superb photo, ( have a look at my email).
ReplyDeleteSam