Skogsøy 12 May 2009 - Loonatics

Velvet Scoter sjøorre
Skylark sanglerke at Herdlevær

Merganser siland

Diver addicted seawatchers (loonatics) started counting at 0540 and had the best diver day thus far of the spring - although the White-billed Divers gulnebblom are still thin on the ground with only one passing today. This was something of a surprise given that 210 Red-throated Diver smålom, a Black-throated Diver storlom and a second year Great Northern Diver islom passed.

Without doubt the highlight in a local context was a Sandwich Tern splitterne heading north. Other stuff worth a mention inlcuded a migrating Red-necked Grebe gråstrupedykker, a largish whale and a Grey Seal.

Very strangely NOT ONE skua was seen.

Some indications of return migration (what autumn already?!) with small numbers of Oystarcatcher tjeld and a couple of Shelduck gravand heading south.

Two singing Lesser Whitethroats møller and a Carrion Crow svartkråke were the only noteworthy birds on the land.

Back home a Twite bergirisk sang in the garden.