No 138: Shag

The common cormorant or shag
Lays eggs inside a paper bag
The reason you will see no doubt
It is to keep the lightning out
But what these unobservant birds
Have never noticed is that herds
Of wandering bears may come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.
Christopher Isherwood

Firstly, thanks to all my friends on Twitter who helped me verify that this was indeed a shag, as I suspected but was not entirely sure. Not the same as a cormorant (No. 27). Unbelievably I had a choice today. I also got a shot of 3 common scoters, so I was left with a terrible dilemma. In the end I decided to go with the better shot.
I spent the day patrolling Marine Drive here in Scarborough. The weather was cold and windy, but quite sunny for a few hours. One of the highlights was seeing several dozen turnstone near the harbour who were so confiding as to eat out of my hand.
My last day tomorrow, then home. 3 birds in 3 days has exceeded my expectations. If I can get a fourth tomorrow, I shall be delighted. Just hoping I don't see a shag but no scoters!