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ID query -Skua - Galway bay today ?

  • 29-06-2013 09:13PM
    #1
    Woodville56
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,643 ✭✭✭


    Was out birding today along south coast of Galway Bay - near Flaggy Shore /Finavarra. Spotted what I think was a skua chase terns for food. Didnt get a close enough view (although viewing thru a scope) but def not a gull, much too agile/elegant flight (almost peregrine like in terms of agility). Appeared slender and long winged, uniform brown'ish above with lighter colours underwing. Tail apeared long'ish.
    Didnt think skua's would be around the coast at tis time of year, too early for migrating birds ?
    Any ideas/thoughts as to which skua this might be as I cant figure it out from the guide books ?


Comments

  • #2
    Capercaille
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭Capercaille


    Woodville56 wrote: »
    Was out birding today along south coast of Galway Bay - near Flaggy Shore /Finavarra. Spotted what I think was a skua chase terns for food. Didnt get a close enough view (although viewing thru a scope) but def not a gull, much too agile/elegant flight (almost peregrine like in terms of agility). Appeared slender and long winged, uniform brown'ish above with lighter colours underwing. Tail apeared long'ish.
    Didnt think skua's would be around the coast at tis time of year, too early for migrating birds ?
    Any ideas/thoughts as to which skua this might be as I cant figure it out from the guide books ?
    Most likely a pale morph Artic skua which you saw, which along with great skua (Bonxie) would the most likely skua in Irish waters.

    Except for Great skua the other skuas: Artic skua, pomarine skua and long tailed skua come in dark and pale morphs and can be difficult to identify. Views are generally at distance from shore which makes identification difficult.


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