Friday 17 August 2018

Bonxie and gull mystery

A distant small gull on the outer outfalls initially though to be Little was seen this morning, then re-identified as a 'small black-headed gull' but no sign of a candidate at lunchtime when I got there and no decent view of eg bill or underwings (now winter ad Little there same time).  

Little Gull - usual ad seaward end of outfalls, now in winter plumage and 2/3 of way through primary moult
Arctic Tern - juv out slowly lunchtime, two juvs on Red Nab in late afternoon then flew south (earlier on outfalls)

Taken through the spray and rain - thanks Malcolm
Common Tern - at least one juv remaining on the outfalls late afternoon
 
Sandwich tern - ad out quickly
Kittiwake - ad out quickly - all three of the birds in transit thought to be associated with IOM ferry arrival a few minutes beforehand, then ad on outfalls very briefly late afternoon
Med Gull - At least 12 adult, 2 2CY, 6 juv
Shag - summering 2CY on wooden jetty
Bonxie (Great Skua) - one in about 1530
Manx Shearwater - gang of three in in short period of decent visibility

Tufted Duck - moulting male Middleton
Flock of 30 unringed Long-tailed Tit Middleton