Hi all,
A few of us headed up to the Bridges of Ross on Friday night, and planned on staying until some time on Sunday. Due to arriving late on Friday, we didn't do much, but were there early on Sat.
Having been out all morning (missing a Wilson's, but I've seen those before), and then having taken a break mid-day, we went back to the seawatching point. Late on, a few of our number left for the pub, but myself and another guy stayed. Other Irish birders present started to leave, and soon it was down to 2 of us from here and a few Belgians. We had planned to head to the pub ourselves at 8pm, but decided to leave a little bit earlier. Having just arrived back at the car park, a shout went up...they had just had a Fea's Petrel!
Now, for those who are new here, Fea's Petrel is by far my most wanted bird in the WORLD at the moment, and I've had no luck with them despite doing a lot of seawatching over the years.
The next day, we were up a bit later, but had missed nothing, and managed to see a few decent birds despite things being relatively quiet. We all headed off (except one guy), and that was that....
...until we heard that another Fea's had passed about an hour or so later!!!
The guy who stayed behind had even missed it, due to having gone to nearby Kilbaha, but, unknown to me, another of our party hadn't gone completely when he left with us, and had decided to head back due to the winds picking up. He was seawatching from the car park only to be told by the girlfriend of one of these Belgians that a Fea's was SITTING ON THE WATER in a raft of Manx!!! The bird WAS distant, but apparently most features could be seen when it flew. To make things worse, I hadn't wanted to leave, and would have stayed with this guy had I known he'd stay (he lives in Cork city also, and I could have come back with him).
Still in shock after it all, to be honest: at least I live to try another day, but the idea of a seawatch almost overwhelms me now. I DID do a short seawatch locally yesterday evening, and managed a close Balearic Shearwater despite poor winds for the S coast.
Harry
A few of us headed up to the Bridges of Ross on Friday night, and planned on staying until some time on Sunday. Due to arriving late on Friday, we didn't do much, but were there early on Sat.
Having been out all morning (missing a Wilson's, but I've seen those before), and then having taken a break mid-day, we went back to the seawatching point. Late on, a few of our number left for the pub, but myself and another guy stayed. Other Irish birders present started to leave, and soon it was down to 2 of us from here and a few Belgians. We had planned to head to the pub ourselves at 8pm, but decided to leave a little bit earlier. Having just arrived back at the car park, a shout went up...they had just had a Fea's Petrel!
Now, for those who are new here, Fea's Petrel is by far my most wanted bird in the WORLD at the moment, and I've had no luck with them despite doing a lot of seawatching over the years.
The next day, we were up a bit later, but had missed nothing, and managed to see a few decent birds despite things being relatively quiet. We all headed off (except one guy), and that was that....
...until we heard that another Fea's had passed about an hour or so later!!!
The guy who stayed behind had even missed it, due to having gone to nearby Kilbaha, but, unknown to me, another of our party hadn't gone completely when he left with us, and had decided to head back due to the winds picking up. He was seawatching from the car park only to be told by the girlfriend of one of these Belgians that a Fea's was SITTING ON THE WATER in a raft of Manx!!! The bird WAS distant, but apparently most features could be seen when it flew. To make things worse, I hadn't wanted to leave, and would have stayed with this guy had I known he'd stay (he lives in Cork city also, and I could have come back with him).
Still in shock after it all, to be honest: at least I live to try another day, but the idea of a seawatch almost overwhelms me now. I DID do a short seawatch locally yesterday evening, and managed a close Balearic Shearwater despite poor winds for the S coast.
Harry
I really hope you get to see one soon.
