Pomarine Skua and Great Grey Shrike

Yesterday me and Dave went birding in West Lancashire. First off was the juvenile Pomarine Skua at Pilling. Great close views of a great seabird. Also present were a flock of around 100 Twite and an adult Mediterraean Gull. Next up were all 3 species of swans at  near Upper Thurnham. It was really nice to see a small group of Bewick Swans a species that eluded us last year and are only present in small numbers in the North of England. We finished off seeing the long staying Great Grey Shrike at Lytham moss.
At home in the garden I am seeing a Goldcrest daily probably the same bird that came last winter and spotted a single Lesser Redpoll a few days ago. Lets hope he returns with his friends!

Bridlington boat trip 9/10/11

had a brilliant day's birding on the skua/shearwater RSPB boat trip from Bridlinton. The highlights were awesome views of a pomarine skua as it hovered over the boat and a great skua. Also saw mediterranean gull (thanks for the pics Dave!), little gull plenty of red throated divers, common scoter and bried views of an arctic skua

                                                           GREAT SKUA

                                                          POMARINE SKUA

                                                   MEDITERRANEAN GULL

Also saw purple sandpiper in the harbour. Then went onto Spurn where had good views of artic skua from the sea watching hide, shorteared owl and grey plover. Overall myself and Dave Evans saw 58 species