Not Bad.

Wet and windy, oh what to do...?

:D

The best of the weather looked to be mid-day to mid-afternoon, so I didn't drag up at Aaargh.. o'clock [that's tomorrow...]. Consequently, my seawatch at Berry Head didn't start 'til 0900, with three intrepid watchers there well before me. I did give it a good seven hours, though, and was rewarded for my stubbornness patience.

In time-honoured seawatch style...

Balearic Shearwater 2+

Distant probable at 1333, much closer singles at 1455-58 [in to scalloper] and 1532 [different individual by markings]

Manx Shearwater 1238 south

Arctic Skua 1 [North at 1045, dark phase]

Bonxie 2 [North together at 0920]

Auk sp. 142 S, 24 N

Gannet 82 S, 10 N

Kittiwake 36 S

Common Gull 3 S

Med Gull 1 N [ad]

Sandwich Tern 14 S, 3 N

Also a steady movement of passerines in/off. Notably a Willow Warbler landing on [Famous Devon Birder]'s tripod - his second tripod tick! - and another plonking down in front of us, looking terribly bedraggled and generally soggy. Poor thing. Several more migrants zipped past at low level, with warblers and finches making up the majority.

In the sea, at least 4 Harbour Porpoises showed repeatedly at close range, and a Grey Seal caused a couple of double-takes as it did a passable impersonation of a big grey fin [!].

Despite there being not a vast array on show - the Manxies came in definite pulses and the rest were slim pickings - it was a good watch. Just seeing shears was a delight, as ever :) It's also special watching from Berry, as at this time of year you're surrounded by Fulmars - very atmospheric, even if it does mean you haven't a hope of a meaningful count! Not just their wonderful nasal calls, either, as the residents are wont to suddenly swoop past at eye level or zoom low overhead. Distracting yes, but not unwelcome!

The first definite Balearic was a real treat; it came in on the close Manxie line*, but then started switching back and just came closer and closer - no doubt drawn by the smell of rare coral - before diving into the scrum of gulls and Gannets behind the scalloper [which was dredging most of the day]. As it came in, the rain even stopped! Ok, the rain started up again pretty soon, but it was nice while it lasted..

Right then, back to work.

Joy....

[[*There were 4, sometimes all used together, the gits..]]