Always too blowy and, at least through the morning, always too showery but, with a bit of perseverance, there were a few migrants on offer today. A
Caspian Gull amongst the Culverwell gull flock had looked to be on the cards for a while so when one did eventually appear this afternoon it wasn't altogether unexpected but welcome nonetheless. Commoner migrants were certainly about although proved troublesome to get amongst in the wind, with 2
Yellow-legged Gulls and singles of
White Wagtail,
Firecrest and
Pied Flycatcher the best at the Bill. Ferrybridge remained busy, with 242
Ringed Plovers and 170
Dunlin making up the numbers and 10
Knot, 2
Sanderlings and singles of
Bar-tailed Godwit,
Whimbrel,
Common Sandpiper,
Common Gull and
Yellow-legged Gull providing a bit of variety. Sea totals were disappointing, with little more than 14
Balearic Shearwaters and 3
Arctic Skuas through off the Bill.
Although already moulting out of full juvenile plumage this afternoon's Caspian Gull is only the third 'nearly juvenile' seen on the island so was nice to have a good look at © Martin Cade:
Common Gull is another gull only infrequently seen in nearly juvenile plumage in these parts so this evening's bird at Ferrybridge was of note © Martin Cade:
Heavy rain both overnight and at times through the morning dumped some extra waders at Ferrybridge including several extra Knot © Pete Saunders:
