1 Bonxie and 12 Manxies went north at Whitburn Obs in over 6 hours this morning which does not sound great. It was however a fantastic sea watch with loads of birds moving mainly north and many of them very close inshore with good light and full cloud cover. The early seafret cleared and the crab sandwich brigade arrived for a memorable watch. An early visit from Fos was followed by Pink Floyd, Unlucky Dave, Hoggie, Wally the brolly and Phil the plumber. Bird of the watch for me was a Purple Sandpiper that landed in front of the Obs and briefly sheltered from the storm, only the second recorded this year. The local and now oft seen Bottlenose Dolphins put in an appearance as well including two greyer youngsters. Ive attached some video of the event, sorry about the soundtrack but the guys were excited and don't get out often. Pink Floyd was well behaved and was allowed to use a clicker for the first time much to his delight. This is what we saw in order of appearance
Tuesday 22nd May 04.35-10.45 N4-5 8/8 early mist and drizzle
Sandwich Tern 160n 25s
Gannet 986n 94s
Fulmar 264n
Ringed Plover 9n
Manxie 12n
Puffin 16n 2s
Swift 1n
Common Gull 4n 1s
Common Scoter 18n
Dunlin 2n
Purple Sandpiper 1n
Gadwall 3n
Tufted Duck 1n
Red th Diver 3n 2s
Eider 1s
Common Tern 16n
Black h Gull 1n
Bonxie 1n
Bottlenose Dolphin 4n 09.45 and 5n 10.05
