Seeing double: another White-winged Black tern and the Humpback Whale star

Great summer wildlife on offer in and around the Ythan: The Humpback Whale continues patrolling the sea just off the mouth off the mouth of the estuary, maybe for over 2 weeks now. It is accompanied by a mass of seals, terns, Gannet and varied gull species. Up to 10 Arctic Skuas have been seen in the area. The White-winged Black Tern (2nd Summer bird) re-appeared, once more spotted by Cotehill's birder, on the 29th and 30th of July. It commuted between Cotehill and Meikle Lochs.

Very surprisingly a new bird, an adult, appeared in the morning on Meikle Loch on the 5th August. Pictures below of this individual.

Humpback Whale, Ythan

Arctic Skua, Ythan

Adult White-winged Black Tern, Meikle Loch

Local breeders

Little in the way of fresh arrivals this weekend. The drake Garganey was seen again on Meikle Loch first thing on Friday, though very unobtrusive.
Black-headed Gulls feeding from the surface of the loch were a fine sight on Saturday, as was this preening Sand Martin pictured on a fenceline near Logie Buchan.

Black-headed Gull Meikle Loch 23.5.15

Sand Martin Logie Buchan 23.5.15