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Friday 25 August 2017

Multi-Wilson's pelagic

Wilson's Petrel, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (M.O'Clery).

A quiet pelagic overall, only enlivened by certainly three, perhaps four of these Southern Hemisphere migrants. Two appeared quickly at the second chum slick, then perhaps two more about 20 minutes later, though only the first one came close. The only other birds of note were an Arctic Skua flyby and... well, that's it really. Some Fulmars, a few Manx Shearwaters. Not a classic pelagic, but definitely one for the fans of Wilson's Petrels.

Wilson's Petrel, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (M.O'Clery).

Wilson's Petrel, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (Ed Carty).

The first bird, and moulting its inner primaries.

Wilson's Petrel, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (M.O'Clery).

Arctic Skua, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (M.O'Clery).

The only skua of the trip, and it didn't even have the manners to drop by and say 'hello'. Sheesh.

Storm Petrel, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (M.O'Clery).

Sunfish, c.10km S of Great Blasket, 25th August 2017 (M.O'Clery).

One of two seen towards the end of the trip. 

The motley crew of the good ship Wilson (M.O'Clery).