First juvenile Kittiwake of the season turned up yesterday afternoon. It sat hunched in a corner up against the NE leg, looking a bit overwhelmed by it all. What I take to be the same bird was still here this morning.
Also spotted this morning was Great Skua number nine. The bird had a silvery fish in its beak and was being chased by a gang of GBBGs. Gannet numbers have increased in the area today, so I'm guessing that the GS robbed one of them of its catch.
Hardly any Fulmar about now, but the Common Gull numbers rose again overnight with 30+ now present. GBBG numbers at about 100.
Counting Gannets is the most difficult count. The gulls tend to sit on or around the platform. Fulmars will stay near the platform, but the Gannets are always just passing by. I tend to do my main count in the early morning before my shift starts. Typically, I will count two or three Gannets in the time it takes to do a lap of the platform, but they are always heading past, and are part of a constant stream throughout the day. Today, I counted eight during my official count, but having been out and about a fair bit today, I would say we have been passed by dozens, if not hundreds. Always a thrill when a Gannet comes close in and passes you at close quarters, or even dives into the water below.