Great Skua on Swansea Pier

What a weekend it's been. Long Billed Dowitcher, Curlew Sandpipers, incredible weather, and that's just for starters. I'll begin at the end however with a brilliant encounter this evening involving a Great Skua and Swansea Pier. The Skuas presence was first spotted yesterday and it was still around this morning, so with a couple of hours spare late afternoon it seemed like a match made in heaven. Initial reports had indicated that the bird was confiding but believe me when I say the word really doesn't do its behaviour justice. We found it sat at the far end of the pier being passed by walkers and fishermen only a few feet away. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

For a species normally seen at distance during sea watches this level of access is almost unheard of. Personally my only views of Great Skuas have been on the Isle of Mull so this was something rather special and to be savoured. Even a drunken Ukrainian sailor couldn't disturb the bird for long. If you are in the Swansea area I highly recommend a visit as chances are the Skua will still be around tomorrow. It seems particularly fond of the fish scraps that are to be found on the pier, and I imagine that the smell there is pretty enticing as well!