23/04/14. Sea Watching at Splash Point

Wednesday 23 April 2014
Splash Point, Seaford


Up really early to take advantage of the SE winds and clear skies.  From 05.45 till 08.15 I managed to join Paul and up to 20 others for a sea watch.  The conditions were favourable to witness the migration of sea birds from Africa to Scandinavia via the English Channel in an easterly direction.



We managed to see three species of Skua:-

• The most seen was the "Bonxie" or Great Skua with some 24 or so passing through today.

Great Skua or "Bonxie"
Library picture

• The Arctic Skua's also showed in good numbers, some 10 or so.

Arctic Skua
Library picture

• By far the rarest was the Pomarine Skua  of which we saw 3

Pomarine Skua
Library picture

The other new birds this year were:-

• The Artic Terns which showed in good numbers

Arctic Tern
Library picture

and

• A single Willow Warbler that had just arrived and stopped for a rest on a support just 10 metres in front of us.  

  

  Willow Warbler
  Library picture

  Amazing to witness the end of migration for this tiny bird.

Very enjoyable and very educational.




On my patch next day I saw a Common Whitethroat, my first this year.

Additions to 2014 Year List:
Great Skua   (190)
Arctic Skua   (191)
Pomerine Skua   (192)
Arctic Tern   (193)
Willow Warbler   (194)
House Martin   (195)
Common Whitethroat   (196)

Today's Species List:

Great Skua

Arctic

Skua

Pomerine Skua

Arctic Tern

Willow Warbler

Red-throated Diver

Gannet

Brent Goose

Common Scoter

Oystercatcher

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Guillemot

Kittiwake

Great Black-backed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Herring Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Fulmar