Bridges of Ross 26th August 2014

Time: 0700-1000 & 1130-1825

Weather: F3 NE, dry, sunny & good visibility.

Observers: Niall T. Keogh, Neal Warnock, Des Higgins, Peter Gluth, Peter Colston, Victor Caschera, Jimmy Dowdall, John Power, Lee Gregory, Stephen Hack, Simon Dennis et al.

Common Scoter: 2

Great Northern Diver: 1 2cy type 

Sooty Shearwater: 17

Manx Shearwater: 2,350 in 4.75 hr (pm)

European Storm-petrel: 1

Great Skua (Bonxie): 4

Arctic Skua: 8
Sandwich Tern: 3

Arctic Tern: 11

Kittiwake: 70 (incl. 52 juvs)
Razorbill: 49

Guillemot: 18

Peregrine: 1 adult

Swift: 1

Common Dolphin: 4+

Basking Shark: 7 (incl. 2 full breaching)
Ocean Sunfish: 1-2 (incl. 1 breaching)

Highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Basking Sharks, which like the Humpback Whale on Sunday, were the first I've seen here since I began seawatching at this site in August 2001. A group of three individuals were seen milling about together plus another two singles at the surface and a further two fully breaching! Whacky looking creatures out of the water!

The first diver of the season, a late Swift & a male Common Scoter sat on the sea off the watch point (odd for here) were the best of the avian rest.

Basking Shark © Niall Keogh

Common Scoter © Niall Keogh