For those following the forecast just lately, Saturday had looked to be a total write-off but it came to pass that the bulk of the promised rain fell overnight and, after a welcome moderate lie-in, it was with renewed hope that the day's proceedings began. The onshore winds had seawatchers heading down to the Bill, whilst the fieldworkers made for spots that offered some shelter from the stiff southwesterly. The highlights on the sea were five Pochards - a rare sight off the Bill - three Pomarine Skuas and the first double figure day of Great Northern Divers; seven Arctic Skuas and singles of Bonxie and Balearic Shearwater, along a worth total of 70 Dunlin, were among the back-ups. The land was busy with variety on the migrant front including double figure totals of Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler. Reed and Sedge Warblers put in another good show in the Obs garden while Whinchats were a feature once more in Top Fields.
One of today's Pomarine Skuas off the Bill - always the chief prize of a May seawatch © Pete Saunders:
