May 14th
Firth of Clyde.
The last day of gusty westerlies and I had a window of opportunity after a dawn survey to be on the right side of Scotland for spring skua passage. Checking the map for the nearest likely spot I came across Farland  Head, Portencross.
At first all seemed quiet but then some nice flocks of migrant Arctic Terns started to appear ahead of some squally showers and gave me some encouragement. Then 2 birds that looked like extra dark kittiwakes appeared low over the waves, gradually coming closer and revealing themselves to be Long-tailed Skuas. As they approached the narrow point of the Clyde they went high against the cloud, circled for a bit and continued North-west, perhaps intent on heading inland. Quality!
So not a bad little seawatch for a couple of hours 0930-11.30-
2 Long-tailed Skua, 92 Arctic Tern, 13 Manxie, 7 Tystie and a Red-throated Diver.

This also means my wife will be happy as I won't be moaning any more about living on the wrong side of Scotland during Westerly Gales in May!