A fascinating Alderney pelagic this morning added several species to the ABO annual list and a local tick for everyone on board, a Great Shearwater.
On our way out this morning about half a mile from shore we saw a bat! Soon we were immersed in birds, several hundred Balearic and Manx Shearwaters, regular feeding frenzies of Blue fin Tuna attracted a wide variety of seabirds, Common Dolphins lept clear of the sea just feet from our vessel as literally hundreds of seabirds circled about, it was very exciting with so much going on we hardly knew which direction to look. The Great Shearwater was the first local record in almost 30 years, other highlights included 12 Sooty Shearwaters, 8 Black Terns, Arctic and Great Skuas, Storm Petrels, Common Scoters and a Sun Fish. Fabulous day.
Photo ( back of camera shot) today’s Great Shearwater.