Wintering Seabird Outing
An enjoyable Wintering Seabird Outing held at Europa Point on the afternoon of the 19th January 2020 was well attended with about eighteen keen birders and photographers at the site.
Although an overcast day with moderate westerly winds, plenty of birds were seen, and many photographed. Tommy Finlayson tried out Shane Shacaluga's monster 600mm lens, (See above), with great success as shown by the photos attached. Even some birds which were well out of range of the moderate telephoto were captured well with this beast. Photographers exchanged their views on equipment and techniques, while birders tried their hardest to find some interesting species offshore.
Gannets put on a good show, with some adults hanging around and taking a keen interest in the Grey Mullet shoals, with Black-headed Gulls skimming the effluent to find a source of sustenance. A Cormorant also stayed for a while below the Point, while fly-bys were had with two Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading east and a Mediterranean Gull offshore. The usual Yellow-legged Gulls of differing ages kept the photographers entertained, while the odd Gannet took a dive but emerged unsuccessful.
The total for the 2.5 hour watch was 45 Gannets, two Balearic Shearwaters, 12 Black-headed Gulls, a 3rd winter Mediterranean Gull, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Cormorants and two Shags. A Meadow Pipit was heard on the mound.
