Holy Island

22-23 Aug - We stayed a night on Holy Island as part of our trip to Durham, and the extensive mudflats here hold huge numbers of birds, in addition to which Terns from the nearby colonies on the Farnes, and passage seabirds, can also be seen. Waders on the flats included large numbers of Golden, and a single Grey, Plover; Curlews and Bar-tailed Godwits; Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Redshank, and 2 Greenshanks (5,6). Moulting flocks of Eider were offshore, together with a party of (presumably moulting) Goosander. Offshore seabirds included good numbers of passing Gannets, Fulmars, and a single dark phase Arctic Skua harassing the terns - Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns, still surprisingly numerous and active, included good numbers of juveniles. Photos JM.