Possible Skua, Scotland (1 Viewer)

[punkskaphil]

I might be asking a bit much to get an ID on this one...

On a boat crossing across the Sea of the Hebrides from Mallaig to Lochboisedale last week we saw a few skuas relatively close-up - identified by our tour leader as Pomarine - but only I saw this particular bird. I only saw it side-on for a brief moment and I thought it looked like a skua, but by the time I could get the camera on it it was flying directly away from me. It was very distant (these are 100% crops from a high-res camera paired with a 600mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter).

Anyway, any suggestions are gratefully received, as always. Thanks in advance.

 

[Butty]

Possible gull, possible skua, possibly something else. Pass.

 

[Sangahyando]

Did you notice any plumage details or behavioural aspects that might be of assistance?

 

[punkskaphil]

Did you notice any plumage details or behavioural aspects that might be of assistance?

When I first saw it through binoculars the body shape and beak looked good for a skua species. Otherwise it just appeared very dark - almost black - and it was only after reviewing the photos I noticed the white on the tail area. I didn't notice anything specific about flight characteristics though - as far as I can remember it was fairly unremarkable, so probably quite level/direct.

 

[smiths]

Or possibly a juvenile Gannet. Who knows.