Scops & Skua

Sounds a bit like the name of a firm of butchers!

I was on my way to Spurn and I stopped in South Cave just to check the pager. Scops owl at Ryhope just south of Sunderland! TomTom consulted, I set off again in a new direction in pursuit of a lifer! Scops Owl Scops Owl Scops Owl

Well hidden in an elder but a great find by someone!

Next I considered whether I could make it to Goswick golf course [on the coast just north of Lindisfarne]. A long drive but I got there by late lunch time. I then walked all over the golf course - encouraged by friendly golfers who provided the latest information: 'It's on the seventh fairway' or 'Behind the green hut somewhere!' Eventually I met the beast. My first ever eye to eye view of a long-tailed skua. Juvenile, pale phase. Cracking bird. It can look very different in flight. Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua Long-tailed Skua

267 UK 2017