A day off work beckoned and I got to New Brighton first thing, joining a crowd of 'Petrel watchers' sheltering in the lee of Fort Perch Rock. The previous two days had seen the best of the action but there were at least six Petrels on show not far out.
I wandered down to the water on the ebbing tide....
It was a bit of a wait for one to come close enough for photography but eventually I struck lucky...
Amazing action with birds within 50m of the shore!
Using the wind is simply a 'breeze' for Petrels, they simply glide into the troughs, dancing on the water in search of morsels of food?
Perhaps the most amazing sight of the day was one Petrel who decided to fly over the sand!
Wonder what this golden sprinkly stuff is like to dance on?
Ouch - that hurts - sticking to water next time....
An Arctic Skua, Manx Shearwater, Guillemot, Common, Sandwich and Arctic Terns were also seen. Even a Curlew trying his luck in the surf!
The incoming tide and easing wind strength meant little of note after 5.30 but what a day!
By the end of the day I had 'sussed' tactics for this sort of situation out. A 300mm lens is not much use back in the car boot! I'll be ready next time! Who know's how long I'll have to wait though....
