26 Feb 2012
I reached south peninsula sea watch point at 1500. As soon as I set-up I spotted a very large group of gulls headed north in the channel. I was surprised to find they were all Black-tailed Gulls. From 1500-1600 I had 6 flocks of 20+ birds passing north. Interestingly after 1600 the big flocks stopped coming and it mostly small groups of 1-3 Black-tailed Gulls in the channel. Counted 172 Black-tailed Gulls but likely missed many before I arrived. 95% were 1st winter bird. Last Sunday I only saw 1 Black-tailed Gull, changes a lot in a week.
Also, had about 60 Heuglin's Gulls cruising up and down the channel. Those were about 95% adults.
Po Toi island itself was slow, just a few Japanese Thrush, a Grey-backed Thrush, some Black-faced Buntings, a Grey Wagtail, a Peregrine Falcon, and ringed and rather desperate looking racing pigeon.
