1st October

With a continuing far fresher than we'd like wind seeing in the new month most eyes were again on the sea, where the main feature was a subpar showing of Balearic Shearwaters. Just three of the latter passed by off the Bill, although interest there was more than salvaged by a better showing of other seabirds: 17 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua and a Long-tailed Skua were the chief reward, but improved totals of 237 auks, 150 Mediterranean Gulls, 94 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 85 Kittiwakes, 20 Common Gulls, 19 Common Scoter, two Little Gulls and a Red-throated Diver ensured there was plenty to see. Visible passage was evident throughout the morning seawatch, with the steady stream of departing Swallows and Meadow Pipits accompanied once again by at least two Merlins; a Marsh Harrier was also overhead but that ended up departing back towards the mainland. The land was still at a 'less said about it the better' level with little of interest and no numbers of note amongst what was uncovered.