Irish Sea

I joined Cliff for a Seatrust Ferry Survey going out to Rosslare yesterday afternoon, back to Fishguard this morning. Force 6/7 winds made for a big sea which was pretty exhilarating from the bridge! On the outward trip few birds but one Porpoise and 4 Common Dolphins was more than we exected in such conditions.
This morning we drew a blank on cetaceans but there were a few birds about. In Rosslare 2 Divers (1 a Red Throated, the other not pinned down) and 1 Common Scoter. Out at sea of most interest were the Starlings heading toward Ireland from Wales. There were many smallish groups whizzing past with the wind behind them. We counted 450 or so but no doubt missed many, many more. We also saw 17 Gannets, 10 Fulmars, 50+ Auks and one Manx Shearwater.