Sunday 13th July 2014

The SBN Pelagic went ahead during the morning, it was a very calm and pleasant day out on the sea but clearly the vast majority of seabirds that were in the area last week had cleared off. It was still a very enjoyable morning with the highlight being a Blue Fulmar which, after coming in from the south and keeping its distance, came right into the back of the boat and showed very well over the following 45 minutes, allowing for more than a couple of photos!
It has been suggested that the bird could be of the race minor from Northern Greenland and Baffin Island.
Watches from Long Nab, and whilst at sea, produced the following; (north unless stated) 29 Fulmar + 5 south (including the Blue Fulmar north), 12 Manx Shearwater + 2 south, 99 Gannet + 95 south, 1 Cormorant, 102 Common Scoter + 75 south, 2 Whimbrel south, 1 Little Gull, 3 Black-headed Gull + 2 south, 2 Common Gull + 6 south, 1 Great Black-backed Gull south, 32 Kittiwake, 24 Sandwich Tern + 10 south, 2 Arctic Tern and 2 Puffin + 1 south.
Elsewhere 3 Egyptian Geese, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Yellow Wagtail were at Wykeham South Lake where a Turtle Dove flew southwest, a Little Egret, 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Snipe and 1 Green Sandpiper were on Johnson's Marsh and 12 Grey Heron and 5 Green Sandpiper were on Johnson's Marsh.

Blue Fulmar - Michael McNaghten

Blue Fulmar - Michael McNaghten

The Blue Fulmar in flight - Michael McNaghten

Another flight shot - Michael McNaghten

A comparison shot with the Blue Fulmar and one of many ordinary Fulmars present - Michael McNaghten



Common Scoter - Michael McNaghten