Strumble

From Sash Tusa: 0700-0900 Minimal wind, but some mist until post-0800 Reasonable numbers of Skuas pre-0800, few thereafter and the mist lifted and the sun came out. Clearly identified birds were: Great Skua x1 Pomarine Skua x2 Arctic Skua 3-4 All juveniles/dark phase birds. 1 Balearic Shearwater spent 5+ minutes circling the bay: good comparisons with several Manxies in the vicinity. 4 Velvet Scotor (2 each M+F) flew south at 0710, quite close to the Lookout. Common Scotor numbers c.100, all south, very predominantly males. A very marked eastward migration of Swallows started at c.0840, with a steady stream coming off the sea. Common Porpoises well spread out and highly visible in the calm: a wonderful accompaniment to some really good birding.