A trio of Great Skuas

There had to be something at the pond today so the lone goose which went over the car park when we arrived could easily have been a genuine Pink-footed Goose blown off course though a local feral species can never be ruled out – will never know. Did not see a lot by the time I had to leave for hospital appointment (Swallow 3, Sand Martin (probably my latest date here) and Rock Pipit) but we had hardly got in to Rugby when news came through of a Great Skua beating up the Coots. Luckily Bob came to the rescue and picked me up in the afternoon by which time there were three birds present (a record count for me since two were present after hurricane Charlie in 87) A Kittiwake adult went over while most birders present were warming up in the café. Though not seen by me there were some interesting counts today with at least 3 Rock Pipit present, Arctic Tern juvenile, a flock of 8 Kittiwake among some Common Gull arrivals, 3 Dunlin, 2 Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. Winds look good for checking the bushes tomorrow – got to be a Yellow-browed in the county and who knows what else.

Bob Hazell did well to get theses images of the Great Skuas considering how dull it was and the distance involved.