WHERE TO SEE POMARINE SKUA

THERE are several key locations from which to see migrating ‘Poms’ in Britain, and most seawatching hot-spots will turn up a few in April-May or August-November. Influxes occur, particularly in autumn, so check BirdGuides.com, too.

Spring

There is a more general spread during spring, with most seen in the English Channel or from Scottish Islands.

• Dungeness, Kent: birds fly quite close to the seawatching hides;

Beachy Head, East Sussex, Portland Bill, Dorset and other Channel headlands; news is often phoned ahead as ‘Poms’ head east up the Channel;

• Orkney and Shetland: low numbers pass frequently; Papa Westray, Orkney, and Esha Ness and Wats Ness, Mainland, Shetland, can be productive;

• Outer Hebrides: Aird an Runair headland at Balranald, North Uist, is usually the best, while Ardivachar Point and Rubha Ardvule are also worth trying.

Autumn

The North Sea coasts and South-West are most productive after breeding.

• Yorkshire: Spurn, Flamborough and Filey get regular birds July-December;

• The Wash: one of the best places to see skuas heading inland is Lynn Point, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, in late September/early October;

• Sheringham, Norfolk: all four skua species are seen regularly from the beach shelter;

• West Cornwall: try Pendeen in north-westerlies or Porthgwarra in southerlies.