As i mentioned,the weather forecast wasn't ideal today,with south westerly winds,but we all boarded the Queensferry again in the hope of something special and today we hit the jackpot.
To start with only a few birds were seen and included a juvenile Puffin,several groups of Gannets,Guillemots and 3 Common Scoter as we steamed out.But after an hour or so we came across the first of a few feeding flock's of Auks and Kittiwakes which had thankfully drawn in other notable species.This included a fairly showy Manx Shearwater,which after being buzzed by the boat a few times made it's way south towards Filey,we then saw a smart intermediate juvenile Arctic Skua which harried a group of Common Terns around the boat giving point blank views overhead.Bird of the day was seen next as Micky spotted another Shearwater sat on the sea ahead of us,a Balearic!!!.It took off initially,but we managed to get fairly close towards it getting some views of it on the sea,before it flew again,this time it looped around and flew past relatively close allowing me and others aboard to take some pleasing shots of this globally endangered species and certainly the best views i have ever had of one.It then landed on the sea again further away and again then flew heading north towards Long Nab.
The final goodie was a cracking Bonxie which flew in and buzzed the boat,allowing for some photos,before settling further away on the edge of the feeding flock and then also headed south as all the other species had.
What a great spell of activity and the best we have seen on these trips out with the lads,some of the trippers even took part in a spot of Mackerel fishing while we drifted and caught several,with Pollack and Whiting being caught as well.
So what a brilliant trip today and we all headed for a celebratory brekkie in the Harbour View cafe before heading our separate ways.
After leaving the cafe,all the local gulls just scattered and i looked up to see a Red Kite heading south over the seafront,quickly followed by a Common Buzzard,what a great day!.
Tim and myself then decided to head over to Wykeham and it was great to see Tony and John at the viewpoint already watching.No Honey Buzzards today unfortunately,but some great views as always of Goshawks,with at least 4 different birds seen,which included a juv. female which flew out of the forest behind where we where stood.A distant Hobby and at least 15 Common Buzzards were also logged as well as a couple of Crossbill.
So what a brilliant day today,the journey through the Sunday traffic being not so bad with another cracking visit to the Scarborough area.
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| Scarborough Harbour. |
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| Juvenile Puffin. |
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| One Of Many Stunning Fulmars Seen On The Trip. |
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| Fulmar. |
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| Razorbills And Guillemots. |
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| Manx Shearwater And Juvenile Kittiwake. |
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| Manx Shearwater Lift Off. |
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| Juvenile Arctic Skua. |
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| Juvenile Arctic Skua. |
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| Juvenile Arctic Skua Heading South. |
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| A Brute Of A Great black-backed Gull. |
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| The First Views Of The Balearic Shearwater,With The Castle & Marine Drive In The Background. |
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| Balearic Shearwater. |
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| Balearic Shearwater. |
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| Balearic Shearwater,Note The Dusky Head,Neck & Vent Accentuating The Pale Belly Patch,More Pot Bellied,With A Shorter Tail Than Manx,With The Toes Extending Beyond The Tail. |
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| 2nd Calendar Year Bonxie,Told By The Heavy Moult & Bi-Coloured Bill. |
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| 2nd Calendar Year Bonxie. |
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| 2nd Calendar Year Bonxie. |
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| 1st Calendar Year Great black-backed Gull. |
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| Tim Patiently Searching For The Albert. |
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| Herring Gulls. |
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| Herring Gull Mellee. |
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| What A Stunning Coastline!. |
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| A Distant Red Kite Over The Town. |
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| The Superb View From The Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. |
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