4 adult Little Gulls and 29 Arctic Skuas passed Whitburn Obs on our early morning watch today. I was joined by Saint Mark, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Stevie Mackem. The light was good and it was an enjoyable first watch for me since my holiday in Ibiza. Looks like i missed some good sea watches in my week away but no obs year ticks, phew!
Not many star birds today but a nice variety. We couldn't turn any of the Arctics into Long tails or Poms. This is what we saw in order of appearance
Sunday 31st August 06.15-10.35 NW2 full cloud cover, calm sea
Black headed Gull 321n 8s (yes 321)
Red th Diver 4n 7s
Arctic Skua 11n 18s
Common Gull 3n 4s
Common Tern 14n 5s
Redshank 14n 8s
Eider 6s
Teal 10n 4s
Sandwich Tern 42n 11s
Turnstone 3n
Peregrine 1n juv
Arctic Tern 1n
Common Scoter 4n 5s
Bar t Godwit 2n
Porpoise 3
Bonxie 2n
Shelduck 6s
Shag 3n 2s
Little Gull 4n adults
Whimbrel 1s
Curlew 1s
Ringed Plover 5n
Widgeon 5n
Meadow Pipits circa 30s
