How to see Leach's Petrel (5 Viewers)

[Nutcracker]

Looks only light winds, and not with a very long pull (chart) - I'd be surprised if it brings many, if any, in.

 

[Jane Turner]

I'd be surprised too - but I'll let you know as soon as I'm hopeful!

 

[aeshna5]

Anything possible. We've already had Sabine's Gull, Kittiwake + Cory's Shearwater in that well known seabird hot spot, London in the last few days!

 

[Northern123]

Thanks for the replies. Any updates as to when it looks hopeful would be greatly appreciated (and hopefully over a weekend).

Ian

 

[Northern123]

So I decided on a weekend in Norfolk instead and seeing the Northerly winds headed to Cley and saw 4 Leach's Petrels (a long overdue lifer), along with Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skua, Sooty and Manx Shearwater and Black Tern. Together with Red-breasted Flycatcher and Wryneck it made for an awesome day on the North Norfolk coast.

 

[Jane Turner]

Nice one!

 

[Acanthis]

So I decided on a weekend in Norfolk instead and seeing the Northerly winds headed to Cley and saw 4 Leach's Petrels (a long overdue lifer), along with Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skua, Sooty and Manx Shearwater and Black Tern. Together with Red-breasted Flycatcher and Wryneck it made for an awesome day on the North Norfolk coast.

Well done!! Like you Leach's is a species I've long needed. If there's the right combination of weather, time off and if the "planets align" I might head down to Merseyside this autumn

 

[Jane Turner]

Its that time of the year again. Early next week is looking like there is a decent chance of a few LP's with more later in the week.

Monday/Tues is the 1st chance of getting a few and conditions later in the week look great for bringing any pushed into the Irish Sea in closer to land.... usual provisos about the difficulty of making predictions a week in advance!

 

[sparrowbirder]

Had an earliesh bird already this year, off Formby point in middle of August..so hopefully could be due a decent year

 

[ColinD]

Its that time of the year again. Early next week is looking like there is a decent chance of a few LP's with more later in the week.

Monday/Tues is the 1st chance of getting a few and conditions later in the week look great for bringing any pushed into the Irish Sea in closer to land.... usual provisos about the difficulty of making predictions a week in advance!

What do you make of the forecast for tomorrow? Overnight we seem to have WSW force 5, then for the rest of the day WNW force 8. Obviously there are Leach's out there because some are being reported. I'm wondering if Crosby might be better than North Wirral? I'm thinking of giving the greater yellowlegs on Hilbre a go tomorrow morning so I'm not planning on going too far from the North Wirral / Crosby coast.

 

[Jane Turner]

Looks great for LPs - there will certainly be some about. Hilbre will be the best place. Mersey mouth 1st light always worth a go too

 

[Jane Turner]

Today was great for Leach's. Should be good for a couple more days

 

[Simon Wates]

Today was great for Leach's. Should be good for a couple more days

Fabulous, always nostalgia for me

Down here, if the kind of winds you wouldn't wish for happen, late Oct-Jan/Feb, we do get them inshore and struggling - got to be one of the most heart wrenching sights - they seem to double their wingbeat speed when they find themselves over dry land/beach, like pannicking to get back into their domain. I've seen this like 4-5 times in about 30 years.

 

[Jane Turner]

Here they were quite happy over the beach today!

I'm a long way form the small stuff at Hoylake but got way more skuas and Shearwater than further east

 

[ColinD]

35 Leach's and a possible Wilson's from Hilbre today, also a cracking pale adult pom, with complete and intact spoons.

 

[Jane Turner]

That must have got past me when I was trying to photograph something!

 

[Jane Turner]

Winds are light and visibility way too good just now, but that will all change soon enough

 

[Jane Turner]

Its that time of year again - a few birds about already

 

[Andy Lakin]

Its that time of year again - a few birds about already

What are the prospects for the next few days. Iirc it seems to have been a few years since there has been really good numbers. A total pain for us folks stuck at work all week. Also how unusual are Stormies in these conditions in that area?
Thanks
Andy

 

[jogresh]

What are the prospects for the next few days. Iirc it seems to have been a few years since there has been really good numbers. A total pain for us folks stuck at work all week. Also how unusual are Stormies in these conditions in that area?
Thanks
Andy

For me, based in N Wales but originally from Cheshire - I'd be at the coast tomoz no question at all. Strong winds for the last 24 - 48 hrs from the right direction; then swinging round to have a NW element is fairly textbook. I'd be surprised if anyone in the usual locations doesn't have a productive sesh, in a local context at least.
Stormies- I've tended to have them earlier, up to the 1st week Sept, tho stragglers are recorded right thru to the end of the seawatching season.
Long story short; if you're able, and not too far away, get to somewhere between New Brighton and Lynas tomoz, good luck. 🙂👍