Shearwaters soar but sandpipers struggle
08 Sep 2017
August 2017 proved to be one of the best in recent years for observing rare and scarce seabirds, especially in the west and south-west of the country, likely helped by persistent westerly winds. The reporting rate of Great Shearwater and Wilson's Petrel were well above average. There was also a record peak count of 40 Wilson's Petrels in early August.
By contrast, the reporting rate of Green Sandpiper was down on the historic average, as was that of Common and Wood Sandpiper. It seems possible that the westerly winds forced to take different route with more favourable wind direction.
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