Jason Great views of the Sabine's it stayed for a good while, I think everyone on the boat got a good long look at it. Have to say I am jealous of your different Shearwater sightings though. I was hoping to get one or two this year. Suppose theres still time yet though. Rob
sounds like you had better views of the sabs than we did on the 4th, it just few straight over my head and continued on in a straight line about 15 foot up so if you didn't get on to it early enough the only view you would have had was a rump disappearing into the distance
The driver told us this over the tannoy. I think he might have meant the first adult in full summer plumage (with a full black head and markings) but I see what you mean with the earlier post. Im hoping he doesnt just say this to make the trip seem more worthwhile. Either way this year seems very good for Sabine's gulls, judging by the sheer number of sightings on birdforum up and down both the Irish sea and North sea coasts. I would strongly recommend even though we didnt see any shearwaters.
The views of the Sabine's gull were amazing. It was diving into our 'chum' that was cast off the back of the boat and it came within a few feet of both sides.
18th September Skua and Shearwater Cruise 09.00 - 12.30
This was a great trip and I would recommend it to any bird watcher of any ability. The sightings are called out over the tannoy by the driver and his two spotters which makes it easier for IDs and almost everyone had binoculars on board, which helps.
Sightings: 3 Red Throated Divers (in different places around the bay) 60+ Guillemots 6 Razorbills 100+ Gannets including very dark juveniles 4 Common Gulls 2 Little Gulls 4 Kittiwakes 30+ Common Terns 2 Sandwich Terns 1 Adult Sabine's Gull (the first adult ever recorded and only 3 ever spotted on these cruises) 5 Common Scoters 3 Arctic Skuas (2 dark phase, 1 light phase)
Other wildlife: 3 Grey Seals At least 15 sightings of porpoises incl. juveniles from 2 metres from the boat.
Despite the driver's best efforts and a boat full of motivated birders there were no shearwater sightings (except one unconfirmed Manx Shearwater sighting).
Inside Bridlington Harbour:
15 Turnstones 4 Purple Sandpipers 5 Redshanks 2 Rock Pipits (all quite regular at the harbour I am told)
There are two trips left this year and they still have places.
Went on the Shearwater and Skua cruise from Bridlington on Sunday 4th September,9am-12.30pm. (Thanks to a free ticket)
I must say given the weather and the recent lack of seabirds in Bridlington bay over the last few years, I didnt expect to see anything unusual, but as with any birding, you just never know! As it turned out it was excellent, according to the operators it was the best trip for a few years. Main sightings-
Purple Sandpipers - 3 on the harbour wall. Sabine's Gull - the first ever adult they have recorded on these cruises. Shame I was on the wrong side of the boat. Balearic Shearwater - a very brown individual right by the boat Sooty Shearwater - 3 Manx Shearwater - 5 Bonxie - 2 Arctic Skua - 10+ Common Scoter - 4 Teal - 20+ headed south then east. Red Throated diver - 5 Black Tern - 11 Little Gull - 60+ Arctic, Common & Sandwich terns. Guillemot - 1000+ Razorbill - 40+ Puffin - 3 Many Fulmars, Kitts, Gannets etc. Plus the best views of Harbour porpoise they have had for many years, 20+ in total.
Saturday 1st September 12.00 Sunday 9th September 09.00 Saturday 15th September 11.15 Sunday 16th September 11.45 Saturday 22nd September 09.00 Sunday 23rd September 10.30 Saturday 29th September 11.00 Saturday 6th October 10.00
Thanks rezMole. Just been talking about it and think it was a bank hol weekend when we went so it could've been a sun. Been doing a google and all the trips seem to be weekends.
Just come back from Bridlington and I was reading a notice about the trips. They are all on Saturday and Sundays (I think they alternate between the two each week). Definately no mid-week trips though.
Had a text off a friend of mine who was at Bempton today. Wanted to do a boat trip to the cliffs. He said they only operate on sat. I'm sure it was mid week when i went on one a few years ago. Anyone any info? He's coming home sat so any quick info would be very helpfull.
