My first two Yorkshire Coast Nature pelagic trips of the season, yesterday, were a success, with two Minke Whales seen, feeding close in off Runswick Ness. There seemed to be plenty of fish on the inshore, with big flocks of feeding Kittiwakes, Gannets and auks, indicating where to focus our efforts for the whales. The Minkes seem to have arrived a little earlier this year, compared with last and several are in Yorkshire waters. Despite the continuing bird flu tragedy, we saw little sign of it yesterday, with only two dead adult Kittiwakes in the harbour noted. Several fledged Kittiwakes were with the feeding flocks which was a good sign and we saw dozens of Guillemot and Razorbill chicks happily pootling about with their fathers on the sea. Futher out, we found a few Pufflings too, presumably having drifted north from Flamborough Head. There were quite a few adults out there too.
Other than the breeding seabirds, we had approx 50 Manx and one early Sooty Shearwater, plus several flocks of Common Scoters and quite a few waders heading south. An adult Arctic Tern was a nice find among the feeding frenzy of Kittiwakes and Common Terns, not something we see that often this early. A few Harbour Porpoises, several Grey and one Harbour Seals, and five Sandwich Terns were also noted.
Despite the early rain, this was a great start to the season, and with Rich having got Minkes on both trips yesterday (first trips of the season), we have kept the 100% Minke Whale record! For more info see here:
https://www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/140/seabirds-and-whales-a-yorkshire-adventure-2023
Juvenile Kittiwake (top), with Arctic Tern above a Common Tern, with Kittiwakes.
Gannets. Plenty of adults heading purposefully south, presumably to feed growing chicks at Bempton.
Two Minke Whales - note difference in rear-edge of fin.
No comments:
Post a Comment