Following on from Barry Stewart's concerns with the identity of the Pomarine Skua at Whiteford from the photos taken of this bird it appears widely agreed that the bird is in fact an Arctic Skua. I watched it today at greater distance paying a bit more attention this time. Confronted with a similar sighting in the future at somewhere like Port Eynon would probably present problems once again. The flight of this bird was difficult to judge with any enlightenment because it was almost always in pursuit when flying. Lots of Gulls were available to attack today but it concentrated on the Black-headed Gulls, although all gulls except GBBG were spooked by this bird. Size comparison to Black-headed Gulls today showed it to be a big Arctic and I would suggest at the higher end of the size range.
I wasn't able to get close enough to take more photos of it today so I've attached a couple more from Christmas Eve. Gull numbers in the area remain high and even though I watched fly off out past the lighthouse today It may well return here at similar tidal conditions for more days to come.
1 comment:
If it is a big Arctic it could be a female as female Skuas are larger than males.
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