2 Great northern Divers and a Slav Grebe were the highlights past Whitburn Obs this afternoon. I had to leave the watch early this morning due to grandad duties, but it felt like unfinished business so i went back for a second look. While i was away a further 3 Great northern had passed including a bird that was found preening on the sea. That's at least 6 past today!, My afternoon started with a Slav Grebe north only the second past the obs this year. They always look like they want to land, and this one did for a while. This prompted St Mark to join me. We had a bit of a shock when a large diver coming south appeared to have a pale face and ivory bill, but as it went past and the light changed it was only a white face...almost but
this is what we saw in order of appearance
12.55-16.10
Common Scoter 4n 5s
Teal 35s
Black h Gull 17n 71s
Arctic Skua 1n 2s
Slav Grebe 1n 1pm
Common Gull 15n 8s
Little Gull 13n 18s
Red th Diver 4n 5s
Bonxie 2n 4s
Manxie 2n 3s
Porpoise 3s at speed
Puffin 1 on the sea
Grey Heron 1s
Arctic Tern 1n 1s
Wigeon 20s
Great n Diver 2s
Fulmar 1n
