Abersoch

More howling gales from the NW kept me inside for most of the day but I could not resist the chance of some potential white-winged gull action so headed out after lunch.

Aberdaron beach was virtually devoid of life and the bay dead so I hit the road to Abersoch. Fair numbers of gulls were bathing in the stream outfall and loafing on the beach between sporadic disturbance from the inevitable dog walkers. Several hundred of the same mix of species as yesterday included a single1w Lesser Black-backed' but three Meds (including two pristine adult and a 1w) were pleasant as ever.

Of more interest were a couple of Black Guillemots just offshore and a Great Northern Diver in the same area as yesterday's bird - off The Warren. As the (expletive deleted) canine exercisers increased in number I decided to wander around to the South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club to scan towards the Tudwal islands. Immediately I locked onto a superb Great Northern' which was sheltering very close inshore below the club house, giving really crippling views. Superb! Another loon was further out with a party of 12 Common Scoter, another Black Guillemot, a single Great Crested Grebe and a few Mergansers and Shags.

Back around by the stream outfall a party of 15 Ringed Plover and three Sanderling were on the beach while signs of Spring included both Alexanders and Butterwort in flower by the footpath.