ARCTIC SKUA
2011: Spring sea-watches: Recorded on 23 dates from 29/3 (3 E) to the 18/6 (3E). In total 114 birds recorded chiefly moving E with daily maximums of 16 E on the 18/4 & 20 E on the 19/4. On the 23/7 a 2nd S. bird with heavily barred under-wings was lingering of Birling. Autumn: Recorded on 8 dates between 13/8 (7) and 24/10 (1), with a total of 38 birds recorded of which 11 W and 25 E. and 2 on the sea. Per B.H.Log
(An average year, during the last decade an average of just over 100 per Spring were logged, a slightly better Autumn than in recent years).
GREAT SKUA
2011: Winter: 4/1 1 E, 8/1 1 E, 27/1 1 lingering off Birling.
Spring Sea-watches: Recorded on 11 dates from 2/4 (3 E) to 8/5 (1 E) when a total of 20 birds moved E.
Summer: 18/6 6 E & 2/7 1 E (appeared in good adult plumage).
Autumn: An exceptional Autumn: 17/9 (2), 9/10 (52 E), 10/10 (61 E), 11/10 (6 E), 22/10 (4), 23/10 (1 E), & 24/10 (1 E). Per B.H.Log
(Spring was unexceptional compared with recent years, although in the 1960's and early 70's it was far scarcer. We are now recording the odd birds during the winter months, and in the middle of the summer.
The Autumn numbers are completely unprecedented and are probably the highest daily counts ever for Sussex in either Spring or Autumn).
POMARINE SKUA
2011: Spring sea-watch Recorded as follows: 17/4 2 E, 19/4 1 E, 21/4 2 E (including 1 juv.), 22/4 1 E, 2/5 12 (9E & 3W), 3/5 15E, 4/5 6E, 6/5 5E, 7/5 12 E, 29/5 1 E. In total 54 E & 3W during the Spring sea-watches. Also 23/10 1 E (A very dark juvenile JFC )
(JFC & DC were away on holiday from the end of April to mid May and therefore missed the best time for this species).
Second Autumn running a very dark immature has been recorded off Birling. These dark almost black types are in fact the commonest type of immature Pomarine Skua, the previous Autumn juv. Pom was seen in 1997 on Cow Gap beach).
