This years North Sea Skua Cruise off Bridlington Harbour almost came and went without as much as a ripple ..... just like the sea that we sailed upon.
Warm, clear skies and a mill pond for a sea as we left the harbour.
The usual Northern Gannets were in good numbers, some followed the boat while others plunge dived at shoals of fish further out of the bay..... that was a good direction for us to head out to.
plenty of juveniles had already left the cliffs
Fantastic numbers of Guillimots.
the adults moult their flight feathers and become sea bound for a short period so with the inability to fly they take evasive paddling actions to avoid the swell from the boat
the odd Puffin and Razorbills aswell
Of course it isnt called the Skua cruise for nothing and we were soon onto a dark Phase Arctic Skua, this bird wasnt in the mood for a fight so flew in and out without showing any aggression
The daddy of the Skuas made a few appearances and again without too much fuss they mostly flew alongside for only a moment or two...
Great Skua
however the best was saved for last....
a life bird for me, prolonged stunning views, Skua attacks and a magical 10 minutes
Pomerine Skua
I have put up a dedicated post to this bird a few days ago but here are a few images of this brute of a bird
there were some other fine birds on view
Great Black Backed Gull
Arctic Tern (also Common and Sandwich Terns)
Northern Fulmar
of those that didnt make it onto film were Little Gull, Red Throated Diver and Common Scoter
However the RNLI did make an appearance as they rescued a stranded jet skier
Flamborough Headland
