Little Shearwater

At 06.20 this morning a Little Shearwater flew north past Whitburn, about 400m out, the ideal distance to give good, prolonged views. Flying low over the sea, flapping its short rounded wings in a jerking action like a clock-work toy. Only a couple of glides, each for only 2-3 seconds, completely different to the Manx that took a similar line a few minutes later, shearing all the way.

It was all go this morning with a Long-tailed Skua, 5 Sooty Shearwater and 18 Brent Geese among a load of birds. I did miss the Storm Petrel in the very rough sea, but you can't get them all.

05.55-11.00
Teal    306n
Dunlin    21n
Eider    6n  4s
Mallard    3n
Long-tailed Skua    1n
Wigeon    122n
Little Shearwater    1n at 06.20
Red-throated Diver    10n
Arctic Tern    1n
Little Gull    1n
Manx Shearwater    13n
Arctic Skua    10n  16s
Bonxie    3n  1s
Sandwich Tern    59n  7s
Ruff    2n
Snipe    3n
Turnstone    2n
Sooty Shearwater    5n
Pintail    6n
Common Tern    4n
Shag    2n  12s
Common Scoter    13n
Brent Goose    18n

Again nothing new at Shibdon with just 14 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.