Saturday 8 August 2020

Terns galore

On arrival at Aberystwyth this morning I first checked College Rocks and was amazed to find 195 Sandwich Terns: by far the largest count I've ever had here.  Among them were three Common Terns,   a Kittiwake and ca20 Med Gulls.
Seawatching later, I was counting passing manxies and Gannets when four small waders heading north attracted the attention of two Peregrines.  Despite a determined and prolonged attack the waders escaped unscathed.
A commotion then as everything went up off the rocks but instead of the hoped-for skua it was another Peregrine attack.
Other odds and ends; 34 Canada Geese on the sea, with a male Common Scoter nearby and at least two Bottle-nosed Dolphins.  
As the tide rose, 25 Turnstones gathered on the seawall.