Bay of Biscay seabirds.......

9-11 Sept - An excellent Pont Aven ORCA trip bird wise, generally settled weather and good numbers of large Shearwaters, especially the mixed flocks seen on day 1 in the northern Bay - close up views of elegant Great Shearwaters (2-4), striking plumage and narrow wings, 55 seen - and the larger, lazier Cory's (5-7) more uniform in plumage and 22 seen. Few Whales, but 1 Fin, 2 Pilot and 1 Minke. Day 2 after a turnaround in Santander produced another 19 Great Shearwaters, 6 Balearics and no fewer than 16 superb adult Sabine's Gulls. Photos JM.