Oh how training can pay off

Good day. Forecast said stronger winds; yay, more western; yay, and better outlook from the bunker. When I landed in the bunker I was actually quite suprised that Kristoffer, Leon and myself were the only people getting ready for some seawatching this morning. The day set off quite nice, and we were quickly rewarded with Leach's Storm petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous) quite early, close and in numbers. A species that isn't exactly normal and always feels amazing to churn out as it really isn't for the lazy birder. The day ended out with 14 being observed from the bunker which is actually insane!

One of the 14 (14!!!) Leach's Storm Petrels that swinged by photographed by Leon Pedersen

It's weird to get to a point where I don't even mind that I weren't there for 5 of them :). Other than that we had Sooty Shearwaters (Ardenna grisea) to keep us on our toes where we spotted 4 today. A single Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus) also put it's way past the bunker, but the true highlight was the Sabines gulls. Plural. The first had us quite suprised. None of us had tried the bunker experience of getting them straight in the face! Throughout the day we had a total of 4 where the best individual flew right over our heads to the front of the bunker. Sabines gull from literally 10m away is and experience I will not soon forget.

One of the Sabines that jumped into the bunker photographed by Leon

Sadly we also said goodbye to Alba today who is abandoning us for Gedser to share some of her wisdom. She will be sorely missed from the work and the company around the house. 

We are welcoming new volunteers the coming days so we are hoping they'll be hungry after missing today and find us some rarities.

Todays observations:

At the station: Johan, Strummer, Alba, Kristoffer, Leon