Making Do

Yet more of not quite the same....

It was that time of year again.

I got to the Nose at a slightly more respectable hour than recently, found it pleasingly low on mundanes, though high on wind and cloud and low on migrants in bushes. Chiffchaffs got up to two sets of fingers, but that was it [not even a Blackcap!]

Chiffchaffchaffchiff

Yup, singing and everything. By the yellow in the bill base, a young male, clearly very keen!

:)

Also showy;

Common Dolphin!

The fun was offshore, with a pod of 11+ Common Dolphins south of the Ore Stone and 3+ Harbour Porpoises north of the Lead Stone.  :D

Waittaminute... How did he get a shot like that of a dolphin so far off?

Well, because they didn't stay there. In fact, after going round the Ore Stone and doubling back on themselves a couple of times, they came in incredibly close to the Toe of the Nose, before heading off northwards.

Huh?

Ore Stone in background,

Common Dolphin on right,

RIB on left...

When the animals keep turning away from you, take the hint...?

[You are supposed to stay out of their axis of travel and let them come to you if they choose to, btw]

Ahem.

After losing the boat

Wowzer!

See how close in?

[Less than 200m]

Also note the small calf in that last pic. At least two with the pod, possibly why they were unhappy about the RIB?

NE wind and overcast.. Perfect seawatch weather..?!?  Well, it wasn't at all bad!

I gave up on the bushes and sat myself down amongst the Mounds, bins propped on knees*, and ended up watching for three hours! The last hour of which I was joined by the Veteran. :)

Not having any proper kit, I was limited in what I could count - no hourly Gannet totals, I'm afraid - but I had a notebook and a good field of view.

 

The Mounds 0930-1230;

Arctic Skua 1

Skua sp. 1

Bealearic 2

Common Tern 17

Sarnie 11

Arctic Tern 1

Fulmar 3

Kittiwake 3

Common Gull 2

BHG 7

Gull sp. 1

Gannets ~50/hour [timed count]

Note: All passage north except terns, who all passed south.

On shore, 15 Oystercatchers on the WCP and a Turnstone on the Lead Stone! :)

 

Now that might not seem a lot, but for me right now, breadcrumbs are a feast.

Be Seeing You...

[[* Shoulder still not right... Very frustrating! ]]