Long-tailed Skua
Long-tailed Skua / stercorarius longicaudus. Mayfield Valley, Fulwood, South Yorkshire. 16/03/21.
All thanks to a small influx of Long-tailed Skuas into the UK in March, 2021, I was able to get to see this beauty. The actual movement of these scarce passage migrants in 2021, was in itself extremely early but for one to be blown so far inland was quite remarkable!
The opportunity presented was too good to miss, when this smart bird, tail streamers intact, chose a small upland field in South Yorkshire to rest and feed up in. It wasn't phased by the crowds who went to see it and concentrated all its efforts on feeding up and resting.
This image shows it taking a break from probing the ground for earthworms, whilst throwing a glance at its admirers. From this angle I got a clear view of its thick white neck and breast, giving way to the very dark belly and undertail. You can also appreciate the extent to which the tail streamers protruded.
Long-tailed Skua
Long-tailed Skua / stercorarius longicaudus. Mayfield Valley, Fulwood, South Yorkshire. 16/03/21.
All thanks to a small influx of Long-tailed Skuas into the UK in March, 2021, I was able to get to see this beauty. The actual movement of these scarce passage migrants in 2021, was in itself extremely early but for one to be blown so far inland was quite remarkable!
The opportunity presented was too good to miss, when this smart bird, tail streamers intact, chose a small upland field in South Yorkshire to rest and feed up in. It wasn't phased by the crowds who went to see it and concentrated all its efforts on feeding up and resting.
This image shows it taking a break from probing the ground for earthworms, whilst throwing a glance at its admirers. From this angle I got a clear view of its thick white neck and breast, giving way to the very dark belly and undertail. You can also appreciate the extent to which the tail streamers protruded.