Seabirds again

We went back to Fishguard today in really splendid weather.  In fact we started at Strumble Head where the sea seemed to be boiling with birds.  I was too late for sightings of Bonxie and Long-tailed and Arctic Skua but the frenzy in front of me was worth seeing.  The predominate species was Kittiwake with hundreds feeding in large groups on the surface of the water.  They were accompanied by hundreds of Manx Shearwaters and a smaller numbers of Fulmars. 

Kittiwakes

Also on the sea were large rafts of Guillemots with a few Razorbills.  Good numbers of Gannets were soaring around and plunge diving into the sea and it was on these occasions that one or two Harbour Porpoises appeared as well.  It really was a splendid sight but by noon the numbers began to decline.




Gannet


We moved back to Fishguard Harbour for toilets and a splendid ice cream and then walked out along the central jetty.  Using the telescope I was stunned to see a dolpin breach the surface just by the harbour entrance but sadly I could not be sure of its identity.  I suspect it was a Common Dolphin as animals of this species have been seen recently here.  Our persistance soon rewarded us with a Black Guillemot and as we walked back to the car a Gannet came right into the Harbour and conveniently flew overhead.