Bridled Guillemot at Western Rocks

10th July 2021

Got crippling views from my kayak of my first ever ‘Bridled’ Guilomot just south of the Western Rocks

With only two taxis at work this morning, I found myself taking advantage of the still conditions on the water in my kayak and set off from St Mary’s just before mid-day. But not before I had a quick look at the Rose-coloured Starling that was discovered four days ago feeding on a New Zealand Flame Tree opposite the police station. I had not been out the harbour when I discovered ‘Wally’ the Walrus relaxing on the stern of a boat. I kept my distance but as I rowed away, after hearing screaming I turned back, and observed a dingy only meters away from him! No considation for the welfare of the beast and also breaking the law. I continued west, with my blood boiling and twenty minutes later of kayaking, some 30 Manx Shearwater feeding off the north side of St Agnes, made me forget about the idiots in the harbour. At close range, the sheawaters were plunging into the water and coming back up with what looked like Anchovies. It wasn’t long until I reached Annet and as I passed the east side, a total of 61 vocal Common Tern got up and settled back down on the boulders while others pitched down on rocks directly infront of me. I took some pics then moved on south towards the Western Rocks. Last time I was kayaking in this area, a month ago, there were 40-50 Puffin and very large numbers of auks. It proved hard work but I managed to see five Puffin. I was now south of Great Crebawethan and from Annet to the latter rock, I had passed less than ten auks. So I was totally surprised when I came across my first ever ‘Bridled‘ Guilomot feeding with a single Razorbill. And did it show off!! I spent a good ten minutes with both birds as they let me almost touch them as they continued preening. Not a species but what a cracking looking individual.

This is my first July Rose-coloured Starling and it’s difficult to estamate how many have turned up so far this year. Maybe 7+ but it could easily be more or even less?

‘Wally’ the Walrus was just settling down on the stern of this vessal when some fools in a dingy, started shouting as they were only meters from him! Later on, he was found on the pontoon that was put there for him and guess what? Despite that everyone could see him from the quay out in the open, still idiots were observed almost on top of him as he tried to have a nap. Fortunatly he stayed on the pontoon until dark. If folks continue to try and see him from only meters away in their dingies, then he’s goin to feel unsettled and won’t return to his pontoon and instead he might go and sink another vessal like he did before.

Spent a good thirty minutes with 30 Manx Shearwater just east of St Agnes in the overcast skies

The 61 Common Tern had relocated to the east side of Annet from Great Crebawethan. I was informed later on that there are 19 pairs breeding on the former island which is great news!

In the next hour from Annet, I had passed maybe 7 Guillomot instead of the large numbers I had a month ago, including this individual

My first ever ‘Bridled Guillemot was this corker just south of Great Crebawethan. I didn’t really know anythin about this form and searched Ecosia and found this useful information from this blog ‘David at the HALL of EINAR’ https://www.thehallofeinar.com/2019/10/bridled-guillemot-2/

The Razorbill that occupied the Guillemot also gave crippling views

Altogether I only came across 3 Fulmar

And a handful of Kittiwake

The sun was burning my neck as I made my ways towards Samson where I had a single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 3 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling and 32 Turnstone. I had an hour on Bryher and found that the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still present on the pool. This time I lay down in the dry grass on the north bank as the goose came to the shore and preened for twenty minutes before making it’s way toward me until it was almost on top of me! It had no idea that I was there but was spooked by a couple passing by and flew to the other side of the pool. There was also a single fully grown Oystercatcher chick on Stinky Porth nearby. By the time I had returned to St Mary’s, I clocked up 14 miles and it turned out to be another amazing kayaking day!

There were only 2 Sanderling as I passed Samson

Last week when I was taking pics of this dark-bellied Brent Goose, it was dull and I was getting very wet. Today the sun was burning on me and the light was spot on

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