With the forecast still good I arranged to meet Rhys Jones for another seawatch.
The morning was brighter; dry, with a force 7 westerly and some broken cloud.
Total counts (all heading SW) between 0715-1055 hrs were:
12 Common Scoter
49 Fulmar
21 Sooty Shearwater - the highest number recorded on site.
262 Manx Shearwater
141 Gannet
9 Shag (presumably local birds)
7 Sanderling
2 Whimbrel
16 Arctic Skua (5 distant dark, 3 pale phase adults, 1 intermediate and 7 gingery immatures)
5 Great Skua
415 Kittiwake
1 GBB Gull
8 Sandwich Tern
7 Common/Arctic Tern
1 Razorbill
1 Guillemot
4 Auk sp
Strangely no Balearic Shearwaters were seen - usually they're guaranteed here.
A single peachy 1st winter Wheatear was hanging around by the shore.
Cetacean interest came in the form of a pod of at least four Risso's Dolphins which were crashing through the surf relatively close in - superb!
Thanks for starting this blog - I'm on hols in the area shortly and your info is very much appreciated. Hoping to get to grips with some of those Risso's.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Davo
Hi Davo
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback!
Risso's are one of the really special features of the seas around the peninsula.
Your best bet for a chance of these elusive creatures (and the regular Harbour Porpoise and Bottle-nose Dolphins) is to get down to view the Bardsey Sound, between the island and the mainland. St Mary's Well (SH 138 252) is as good a location as any, but bear in mind that you will always have to be lucky to connect with them.
Enjoy your holiday and let me know if you see anything of interest.
Best regards
Andrew