Sunday, 18 September 2011

New Quay seawatch 0700-1000

Passage very light, but some good birds, albeit in very small quantities:

Leach's Petrel 2 (0720 and 0850) - the 2nd moving through rather too leisurely, and was taken by the local Peregrine, which carried it off overhead back towards the cliff!

Sabine's Gull 1 juv - flew in from NE 0725 and joined the Black-heads lingering just off-shore. (Stunning views, no binoculars needed!). Moved on after 10-15 minutes, but then reappeared just below us again 0830, and stayed for another 10-15 mins. Very smart at such close range.

Arctic Skua 2 (both pale phase)
Bonxie 1
Little Gull 1
Black Tern 1
Red-throated Diver 1
Great Northern Diver 1 - on sea
Common Scotor c.40
Manxies c.30
Kittiwakes c.100
Auks c.15
Fulmar 5
Gannets 3
Wigeon 5
Heron 1 - flying E well out towards horizon!

Peregrines 2 (ad and juv.) periodically chasing passing seabirds - sometimes successfully, as above...