Another birder was already there, he had been there about an hour before I arrived and he had seen 4 species of tern and several Manx shearwaters. The sun shining on the sea was a bit of a problem as I could only look either left or right, but not straight ahead. However within minutes I had seen a dark phase Arctic skua chasing terns, tick number 1. Gannets were flying to and fro and swallows were swooping low in front of us. 13 Common Scoters flew north, tick number 2.
Lots of Sandwich terns were busy fishing and fulmars glided past. Guillemots were also on the sea in small groups. As the tide started to go out, the number of birds began to dwindle so I put my chair back in the car and walked towards the Pilot Pier.
Ringed plovers and Turnstones were looking for food at the waters edge.
Lots of Eiders just off the shore, probably waiting for the tide to expose the rocks again.
Starling, pipits and house sparrows were looking for food on the seaweed.
Newburn Bridge was stop number 2.
The only waders I could see were Oystercatchers.
I drove down Zinc Road and walked out towards Seaton Snook.
Reports of Roseate terns and skuas were the reason for my visit. Sadly lots of dogs about, and several of them were allowed to chase the birds. Hence the terns were on the other side of the river. Sandwich terns were fishing in the river and then returning to the river bank. There were lots of terns, but they were too far away to identify. Closer were dunlin, ringed plover and tick number 4 sanderling.
RSPB Saltholme was the last stop. This was my view from Phil Stead hide.
A buzzard was sat on a fence post for several minutes. A Little Egret was fishing closer to the hide.
There were at least 8 snipe also feeding but they were too far away and well camouflaged.
A very pleasant day, and one i will repeat when the autumn migration gets under way.
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