Southern North Sea 23 - 31 July 2021 - Auks on the move

 Very little time spent on deck during this period which was spent largely in the Inde / Leman area of the UK sector.

However, some good numbers of seabirds were seen at times. Auks were very obvious with adults calling and their young begging. Young Guillemots lomvi leap from their nest ledges before they can fly and swim after their parents who, if I remember correctly, also moult at this time). Rafts of Guillemots joined large flocks of gulls (mostly Kittiwakes krykkje and Lesser Black-backed Gulls sildemåke) to feast on shoals of fish. These were joined by small numbers of other gulls including Black-headed Gulls hettemåke and even a Mediterranean Gull svartehavsmåke. The latter two species are not something I see a lot of offshore.

The only other migrant was a Woodpigeon ringdue, again rather early for this species to be crossing the North Sea.

Adult Guillemot lomvi with young

These birds must have swum from one of the breeding colonies in NE England - perhaps even the Farne Islands but more likely Bempton.

Small numbers of young Black-headed Gulls hettemåke fed well offshore

Moulting Great Black-backed Gull svartbak

"Bridled" Guillemot alongside a normal one

Kittiwakes krykkje were present in the 100's

Rare offshore sighting og Mediterranean Gull svartehavsmåke

Migrant Woodpigeon ringdue on deck