An hour and a half was spent sea watching off Boulmer last night. There were a large number of auks (Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots), Kittiwakes, Gannets and terns (Sandwich, Arctic, Common and a few Roseate) feeding offshore. Dunlin and Ringed plovers were also moving north.
The joy of the evening was watching small parties of Manx shearwaters ease their way north. The count was 57 over the period. The evening sun shining on the small flocks, moving close inshore, was very special. One wonders where these birds were coming from and where they are going to at this time of. With no breeding colonies in the North Sea, are these birds non-breeders or breeders taking a tour of North Sea waters? Do they look have a look for potential breeding sites around the Farnes and other suitable islands?
Unfortunately there were no skuas. The only other species moving was two Tufted ducks moving north (male and female).
Late news from Monday (15th May) was a Quail calling at West Fenton. Cow parsley, Herb bennet, Tufted vetch and a number of grasses are just coming into flower.
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