Usually Tarbat Ness would be my seawatch location, but I've learnt from others that on an East or South-east wind, the north-east coast is the place to be. I recently found a site just south of Portgower which is relatively sheltered and offers height. During the week, Matt Broadbent and I had been keeping an eye on today's weather, which thankfully stayed fairly consistent meaning Portgower was on the cards for today.
As soon as I pulled up into the lay-by, a message of a passing Cory's Shearwater (a very rare bird up this way) from Dean only 3kms down the coast prompted me into immediate action and soon it passed me. I quickly ventured down to the coast, later being joined by Matt B and Pete Stronach, with the following seen:
9am - 2.30pm
Cory's Shearwater - 2
Great Shearwater - 4
Sooty Shearwater - 97
Arctic Skua - 11
Manx Shearwater - not counted by a few hundred most likely
Two of the Greats passed only just offshore, as did one of the Cory's. I certainly didn't anticipate views like that up this way!
On my way home, a quick stop at Loch Fleet produced the Curlew Sandpiper which has been present a few days.
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| Great Shearwater past Portgower |
