An early morning visit to Skaw beach produced a Knot and 2 Sanderling. An hour's seawatch from Lamba Ness was quiet for birds but a superb Minke Whale swimming south stole the show with a Dolphin sp. and a Harbour Porpoise also seen. A call from Robbie and a text from Matt alerted us to Brydon having seen Orcas swimming north past the eastern side of Balta Isle. We gambled on returning to Lamba Ness where we soon picked up the pod of 12 or 13 individuals including a couple of large males with huge tall fins heading towards us. We then watched them offshore for 3 hours during which time a Sooty Shearwater flew north at 11.46am. Walked into the pines at Setters Hill this afternoon and heard a familiar 'chip chip chip' and there were two male Common Crossbills. Otherwise fewer Dunlin present today and just two Chiffchaffs seen. Spent an hour sea-watching from Lamba Ness this evening seeing a Manx north at 8.36pm followed by a Sooty north at 8.54pm.
Killer Whales off Lamba Ness
Mother and calf
Male
Male and female
part of the pod hunting together
Male Common Crossbills at Setters Hill
Sooty Shearwater passing Lamba Ness this evening
