Splash Point 21/4/16

Just when you think that the day is done for with a moderate NE wind blowing all night, lying in bed this morning I checked my phone to see a Pom had passed Portland, but this wasn't enough for me to move. But when the next Pom news came through relating to a flock of ten birds passing Gosport, I sprung into action and by the time I was on my way to Splash, news filtered through that they had now passed Selsey.

Eventually the flock of nine pale-morph birds flew through and not too far out either. At least three birds supported massive 'spoons', whilst the others weren't too shabby either. Pomarine Skuas are still by far my favourite species to see on a seawatch in Sussex, just stunning birds. Hopefully more to come through despite unpromising conditions for the next five days.

Totals 09.30-11.30 NE 3:

Pomarine Skua - 9
Sandwich Tern - 11
Gannet - 3
Bar-tailed Godwit - 248
Whimbrel - 3
Black-throated Diver - 1 s/p on sea
Commic Tern - 4

A further seawatch this evening would have been normal if it wasn't for a 15 minute period between 18.30-18.45 when an eruption of Balearic Shearwaters moved through, with flocks consisting of 3 and 15. A completely bizarre scene and totally unexpected for the time of year, and yes it does seem exceptionally stringy, but there you go. 

15.05-19.05 NE 3

Balearic Shearwater - 18

Manx Shearwater - 1

Arctic Skua - 6 (3 l/p)

Mediterranean Gull - 13

Whimbrel - 84

Bar-tailed Godwit - 156

Common Scoter - 8

Shoveler - 6

Sandwich Tern - 70

Commic Tern - 6

Red-throated Diver - 2