Seawatching, And Not For Nuffin'

Looking back at my records, it seems that I spent most of this [lovely long] BH weekend seawatching at the Nose.

This does not really reflect the truth of the matter, as I only got three proper watches in and spent far more time doing other things, but still. 'Hope's Nose' again and again. I even spent my time at the Traditional Seawatching Spot, as the Steps are not exactly hospitable in an easterly of any flavour above 'moderate breeze'...



The fun proper began on Saturday, when three hours in the late afternoon misty gunk and a SE - SSE best described as brisk produced only 52/12* Gannets and 17/3 Kittiwakes. Not much doing? Well, apart from the 159 Manxies, 2 Balearics, Bonxie [a 2cy or so - yup, nice and close] and 2 Puffins!

Also 45 Razorbill [mostly immature], 16 Fulmar, and 2/7 Whimbrel. Plus hundreds of Guillemots to-ing and fro-ing. [It's just not practical to even try counting Guille passage this time of year in an easterly - as you can't see enough sea from the Traditional Spot to be sure birds aren't heading to or from the Ore Stone. It is of note that they will circle quite widely around the far side, sometimes...]



Sunday evening, despite the onset of a strong SSW with squally showers, gave not much at all. A few Manxies, a nice flock of Sarnies...



Yesterday was supposed to be a calm sunny morning, with a frontal system coming up mid to late afternoon.

Yeah, right.


It started like that, and I had lugged the Big Scope up onto a big hill on Dartmoor, hoping for drifting raptor-y things. In fact, I got 5 Buzzards, 2 Ravens, and a Kestrel before the wind and cloud made it clear it was time to go.

On the plus side, a Cuckoo or two [plus three pairs of birders!] on the way down was some recompense. Also a few couples; of Wheatear, Tripit, and Yellowhammer. Loads of Stonechats and Mipits, a few Skylarks. It was nice. I even came within half a second of a singing Wheatear shot, but a pesky Mipit came charging in on him and.. ouch! [Right where it hurts, too...]


I repaired home and re-equipped, then on to the Nose.


The stiff wind was wandering from SE to E and as the rain bands got heavier and heavier, those lovely little Puffins just kept on coming!

Final score was 18. Biggest group a 4, and they got closer and closer in, too.


Not bad.


Not a lot else, mind; 48/18 Manx, 35 Kittiwake, 16/9 Gannet, 7/1 Fulmar, 2 Whimbrel, 12 Sarnies, 19 Razorbill.



I had considered going back again today, but there are things that have needed doing, and aside from the very odd squall, it's been horribly sunny here despite the wind. Oh well, I look forward to some lucky bugger's report of WISP** or something...






[[*As ever, South passage is listed first]]
[[**Kidding - wrong conditions - but a Barolo's is not inconceivable. Insanely unlikely, yes..]]