Great northern Diver, Long tailed Skua and a Med Gull passed Whitburn Obs by 10am this morning. Normally big feet = big diver but this big diver had little feet, we enjoyed superb views of this still sum plumish bird fairly close in. It was an exciting watch with lots of close birds and loads of Gulls but we failed to get the hoped for Sabs Gull amongst the Little's and Kitts. I was joined by Saint Mark and Stoney was in the house (and not on his was to Scilly)
Early on Mark called a Petrel going south but failed to get me on it, he couldn't nail the i.d. so nothing lost
This is what we saw in order of appearance
Saturday 4th October 06.45-10.00 S3-4 then variable winds and some rain
Black h Gull 27n 67s
Common Gull 9n 43s
Eider 2n 2s
Shelduck 4s
Common Scoter 16n 13s
Little Gull 18n 60s and 100 plus feeding offshore all watch
Petrel sp 1s 07.25
Red th Diver 3n 5s
Curlew 6n 4s
Manxie 1n 14s
Arctic Skua 14n 7s
Dunlin 1s
Sandwich Tern 1n 2s
Wigeon 30n 37s
Fulmar 5s
Teal 38n 48s
Golden Plover 1n 4s
Shag 3s
Dolphin sp 1 south at 8.15
Long tailed Skua 1n juv
Pintail 1s
Great northern Diver 1n
Meadow Pipits circa 30n
Starling 1 in off
Med Gull 1n ad
