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A good gale force wind from the south was forecasted today and so with several hours to spare before my first appointment on the Isle of Wight, I headed down to St. Catherine’s Point for my second seawatch of the week. Walking down the lane towards the Lighthouse, I noticed the wind had certainly gone up a notch and the sky looked threatening for rain. Perfect conditions I thought. So, walking through the fields, I rested by the Lighthouse garden wall, which was at least ten foot high and a good shelter from the wind and rain.
A male Kestrel showed how well it could fly in such winds, just hanging in the air over the edge of the cliffs. The most notable species were Gannets of various plumages, though mostly adults. But I was lucky enough to obtain three month ticks this afternoon during my 2pm to 4pm stint. Firstly, I clocked up a total of four Manx Shearwaters during the afternoon, all individual birds and all heading west. Every bird was scrutinised through the scope, not only to identify them from Balearic but just because they are such a fantastic bird as they negotiate the waves while skimming just inches above the water. Fulmars, my 2nd month tick of the afternoon, went by in more numbers with up to 7 birds flying west. Two birds were seen flying together and certainly looked like a pair. Another one flew only a matter of feet from where I stood as it also headed west.
Finally, the 3rd month tick of the day was a Bonxie flying east low over the water. This was probably the least expected bird though when we get such inclement weather as this, anything could turn up. Wasn’t so long ago when the Masked Booby flew past here earlier this year! To be honest, despite superb conditions, it nowhere compares with the Cornwall or Devon coasts for numbers but I was nevertheless pleased in turning up three more month ticks. Cory’s Shearwaters are now being seen from the Cornwall headlands and so I just might take a trip down there in the next few weeks.
The Chimney Swift in York has now disappeared but an intriguing report of two Black veined White butterflies on Stockbridge Down, nr Winchester. Whether they were immigrants or escapes no one knows.
The raging sea from St. Catherines Point this afternoon.
