Dad's birthday once again coincides with a reasonable seawatch. I had predicted a Tern day for today a few days ago, and I'm pleased to say this came true. Just after first light Tern flocks could be seen, but it soon died down for maybe an hour or so. However once a heavy band of rain had passed through it all went a bit crazy, with very large Commic Tern flocks passing, with each flock seemingly holding onto the odd Black Tern. Then something very dramatic happened. Josh next to me started counting a flock of Black Terns, and when the numbers started to get into the 20s my excitement levels rose somewhat. The mega flock of Black Terns soon arrived and consisted of a massive 36 individuals, this tight-knit flock being one of my top moments in seawatching anywhere.
Other than the odd Pom and semi variety of Waders, it was a fairly average seawatch, but Tern days are often the best for delivering such dramatic instances such as the above.
Sadly after a superb eight days off, back to work tomorrow.
Totals between 05.00-13.00 - Wind SE 3 to SW 4:
Common/Arctic Tern - 1940 (some decent Arctic flocks moving high inland)
Little Tern - 4
Black Tern - 76
Bar-tailed Godwit - 8
Dunlin - 13
Gannet - 203
Common Scoter - 41
Sanderling - 8
Sandwich Tern - 47
Redshank - 2
Arctic Skua - 12
Manx Shearwater - 3
Knot - 19
Pomarine Skua - 4 (2@ 07.01; 1@ 11.27; 1@ 12.19)
Great Crested Grebe - 2
Red-throated Diver - 5
Grey Plover - 7
Whimbrel - 19
Tufted Duck - 1
Great Skua - 3
Red-breasted Merganser - 2
Other than the odd Pom and semi variety of Waders, it was a fairly average seawatch, but Tern days are often the best for delivering such dramatic instances such as the above.
Sadly after a superb eight days off, back to work tomorrow.
Totals between 05.00-13.00 - Wind SE 3 to SW 4:
Common/Arctic Tern - 1940 (some decent Arctic flocks moving high inland)
Little Tern - 4
Black Tern - 76
Bar-tailed Godwit - 8
Dunlin - 13
Gannet - 203
Common Scoter - 41
Sanderling - 8
Sandwich Tern - 47
Redshank - 2
Arctic Skua - 12
Manx Shearwater - 3
Knot - 19
Pomarine Skua - 4 (2@ 07.01; 1@ 11.27; 1@ 12.19)
Great Crested Grebe - 2
Red-throated Diver - 5
Grey Plover - 7
Whimbrel - 19
Tufted Duck - 1
Great Skua - 3
Red-breasted Merganser - 2
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A stonking Pomarine Skua
that came through when the murk rolled in
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| Knot |
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36 Black Terns passing close in.
Although watching a flock of 22 Poms chasing
two Kittiwakes back in 2008 was
my ultimate Splash Point 'moment', this is a close
run second.
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