Bonxie Snack

This morning we revisited East Hogaland for another unsuccessful search for a Long-tailed Skua, although we did get good views of a juvenile Oystercatcher, although it didn't score high enough in the fluffy stakes for Lillian. We also unsuccessfully searched for Mountain Hare and Otter - not at the same time I trust you realise!

Afternoon was fully taken up by a Seabirds-and-Seals trip skippered by Alan Longmuir and ably assisted by an exceedingly knowledgeable Robbi ShoafEnge

As expected the gannet colony on Noss was the highlight with RCB getting a fine Immature Gannet, but an entirely unexpected highlight was the views from the underwater camera accompanied by Robbi's enthusiastic commentary. We were also lucky with the weather, this was the first trip for a while that had been able to complete the entire circumnavigation of the islands. Hopefully this bodes well for tonight's Mousa trip.

Not so lucky though was today's photographed Guillemot chick. These chicks jump from their high cliff ledges into the sea while still unable to fly. Dad's job is then to shepherd the chick out to sea away from any predators. As we were moving away from the Gannet colony we noticed a group of Gannets in the water so we headed over to investigate. In the centre of the group was this Guillemot chick, no sign of Dad and the Gannets were picking on it, forcing it under the water. They flew off as the boat approached, leaving the chick, but it was far too saturated to survive. The skipper remarked that the best thing that could happen would be for a Bonxie to take it. Ten seconds later that's exactly what happened.

In the evening we received a call confirming the Mousa trip was on. Gary picked us up at 22:15 and at 23:00 we were on the Mousa boat trip. Given that flash photography is banned, getting a photo of a Storm Petrel was going to be problematical so don't be too critical of RCB's effort. Adrian who was definitely the photographer of the group with some "serious" equipment certainly obtained far superior shots. Okay I now have a bad case of camera and lens envy, but until our lottery numbers come up that's how it'll stay! I'm struck now though that I need to return to Mousa without a camera. Concentrating on taking pictures distracted from fully experiencing the wonderful spectacle.

Back at the hotel at 1:30 and with breakfast booked for 8:00, how daft is it to switch on the pc so's to check through the photos - hey ho!