The seabird watch held on Saturday 13th September began with less than favourable conditions. Although the day was clear and bright, the easterly winds were not conducive to seabird passage close to the point. Nevertheless, a number of members assembled at the GONHS observatory at Harding’s Battery, taking the opportunity to observe and share time with fellow birders.

Shortly after our arrival, a heavy fog developed, reducing visibility to approximately 500m. The group nevertheless remained in place, hoping that conditions would improve. By mid-afternoon the fog began to lift, eventually allowing observations to proceed under excellent conditions.

The first notable sighting was of a female Blue Rock Thrush perched prominently on the chimney of the lighthouse caretaker’s residence. Soon after, attention was drawn to a large feeding event to the west of Harding’s Battery. Here, numerous Cory’s Shearwaters were observed in association with gulls, dolphins, and tuna. Dolphins were leaping from the water in pursuit of flying fish while overhead, seabirds took advantage of the activity. The spectacle continued for some time, and the group recorded more than 150 Cory’s Shearwaters, with additional groups rafting further offshore.

Other species noted included several Balearic (Mediterranean) Shearwaters and Sandwich Terns, which joined the feeding activity as it drifted away from our position. Along the Europa foreshore, the presence of Common Sandpiper and Ruddy Turnstone was also confirmed.
Two further highlights of the day were the passage of a single Caspian Tern flying westward as the fog dispersed, and an Arctic Skua actively harassing a Sandwich Tern, attempting to rob it of its catch.

What had initially seemed an unpromising day due to weather conditions ultimately proved to be highly rewarding. The event provided excellent company and a series of memorable observations, underlining once again the value of patient observation from the Europa Point observatory.

Totals

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1 
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 1 
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 4
Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris borealis 195
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 7
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus 4
European Shag Gulosus aristotelis 4
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 1