SKUA’S.

Generally a quite low year despite the improvement in September on the previous year. The biggest “Skua” day was a total count of all 4 species of 33 on 3^rd September.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus                                           

A total of 22 birds recorded all in Autumn between 28^th July & 13^th November. Max day count was the 4 on 28^th July. Plumage / Age ratio was 16 Pale Phase, 1 Dark Phase & 5 Juveniles.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorcarius parasiticus                                      

Monthly totals as follows;

         July                        Aug.                       Sept.                          Oct.                     Nov.

           2                          58                         137                            17                        8

No spring records, all recorded between 27^th July & 20^th November. Max daily count 22 on 3^rd September. Plumage / Age ratio was 98 Pale Phase, 105 Dark Phase & 19 Juveniles.

 

LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorcarius longicaudus                          

A total of 10 birds recorded in all, the first on 24^th August with the last date being 21^st November. Maximum day counts of 2 on 3^rd September & 13^th November. Apart from a 2^nd calendar year bird on 13^th November all were Juveniles.

GREAT SKUA Stercorcarius skua                                                                  

Monthly totals as follows;

       July                  Aug.                 Sept.                      Oct.                   Nov.               Dec.

          3                    25                     51                       2                    24                     4

A single winter record on 5^th January, Maximum day count of 15 on 4^th September which was the only double figure count of the year. The annual total of 110 was the lowest since 2007. Two birds flying north over Tresinwen in the afternoon  on 3^rd October indicates overland passage can happen on occasion.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus                                                                   

A total of 16 recorded, 2 Adult, a single 2^nd year bird & 13 Juvenile/1^st w.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus

A total of 54 birds recorded, Maximum daily count of 6 on November 16^th. The breakdown of age’s was 24 Adults, 7 2^nd Summer & 23 Juvenile/1^st w.

SABINE’S GULL Larus sabini                                                                    

A slight increase in 2015 but not significant, 10 birds recorded. In August 2 on 29^th with singles on 22^nd, 30^th & 31^st all Adults. In September 2 Adults & a Juvenile on 1^st then another Adult on 22^nd. The final record for the year being a Juvenile on 7^th November.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla

Recorded throughout the year.

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis                                          

Another  increase on the year previous as in last year with a total of 679 recorded, Maximum day count was 119 on 30^th August.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo                                           

Only 2 recorded, singles on 12^th & 15^th September.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea                                         

Another low return of just 3 recorded, 2 on 16^th September & an early record on 28^th July.

 

“COMMIC TERN”

A total of 808 birds max. 430 on 23^rd  August.

ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii                                           

Only 2 single birds recorded this year, 23^rd & 29^th August.

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons                                                       .

Four on 23^rd August & a single on 3^rd September were the only records this year.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger                                                          

A good year for this species with 149 recorded, Maximum count 105 on 23^rd August.

 

COMMON GUILLEMOT Uria aalge

Recorded throughout the year, large numbers moving on passage during the late autumn.

RAZORBILL Alca torda

As with the previous species, recorded throughout the year with sometimes large numbers going through in the late autumn.

PUFFIN Fratercula artica

A total of 79 birds recorded, max. 39 on 28^th July.

CETACEANS.

COMMON PORPOISE Phocoena phocoena

Recorded on 63 of the 85 watches, very rarely absent but conditions on the rougher sea days make it difficult to observe them.

COMMON DOLPHIN Delphinius delphis ( Short Beaked )

A total of 249 individuals recorded maximum count 71 on 15^th September. Possibly a record year for the species at Strumble Head.

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Tursiops truncates

A rare species at Strumble Head, 2 on 3^rd August & 2 on 5^th September being the first records since 2012.

RISSO’S DOLPHIN Grampus griseus

A total of 44 animals recorded, down on the previous year. Maximum day count was 20 on 19^th September.

MINKE WHALE Balaenoptera acutorostrata

A single animal seen in a flat calm sea  heading in an easterly direction at thirteen minutes  past six on the evening of 23^rd June.

OCEAN SUNFISH Mola mola

A total of 10 animals seen between the dates of 23^rd August & 22^nd September, Maximum 2 on 30^th August & the last date.