Boulmer birding - Wednesday

First job was taking the puppy out for his constitutionals. The cottage garden is well vegetated and with the easterly winds there has been hope for something good. First bird was a Ring Ouzel flushed from a hedge, and then a Willow Tit - given away by its call. Several Fieldfare flew over, as well as a pair of Raven.
Next was a sea watch as the sun rose. Almost immediately the first of 5 Little Auks bombed through on whirring wings. Dozens of Guillemot and Razorbill also flew north, while Scoter, Eider and Gannets joined them. Over the next half hour a couple of Velvet Scoter and single Long-tailed Duck were added. Final bit of excitement arrived in the form of a skua. A beast of a bird, a juvenile Pomarine Skua powered north with the occasional dart at a Kittiwake as it passed.
Next stop today was Lindisfarne.

Crossing the causeway, many hundred Pale bellied Brent Geese fed on the salt marsh. Several Greylags flew low over the car. On arrival at the car park one of the first birds seen was another Ring Ouzel flying north across the fields. Progress was then made to the Vicar's garden checking every bush on the way. On arrival a very active Yellow Browed Warbler showed well in the trees.

A little later, near the priory a Wheatear perched up on a wall, then disappeared as fast as it appeared. Would have been nice to have seen it for longer but brief views suggested Northern.
Only other new bird for the trip was a Little Egret on the salt marsh.
The tide times meant back near Boulmer for the afternoon and another seawatch. Several more Little Auk but a massive increase in general bird numbers. Over a couple of hours Gannets numbered many hundred, and a steady stream of auks and ducks. Many were too far to specifically identify but every now and then some birds were closer. A few Fulmer and Manx Shearwater also passed, as well as 2 1st W Little Gulls. Another couple of skuas were picked up as they passed north, one an adult Arctic Skua (chasing Kittiwakes), the second, another young brute of a Pomarine Skua. The two birds followed in quick succession allowing good comparison of size and structure.
Before the sun set a final check on the waders produced more Turnstones and 4 Purple Sandpiper but nothing extra. More easterlies tonight so fingers crossed for another good birding day.