Our journey took us east of Edinburgh to North Berwick the home of the Scottish Seabird Centre. A very windy and blustery day but some blue skies to be seen. The North Berwick coastline is beautiful and the magnificence of seeing Bass Rock covered in Gannets is jaw dropping! The Rock is covered in Gannets, a 150,000 of them! wow!
A walk along the shore towards the Seabird Centre and on the rocks we spotted Oystercatchers and a Ringed Plover. Further out to sea were groups of Eiders and Gannets. Closer to the Centre we had great views of Eiders displaying complete with their haunting 'whooo' call! The males in fantastic colours. Also from the centre area we were able to watch hundreds of Gannets fairly close, fly overhead and across the sea. Great to see them dive but this time collecting seaweed presumably for their nests back on Bass Rock. A few Terns (common I think) were also heard and seen flying by. As the tide went out we had some great views of a Redshank and Turnstones on the rocks very near the Seabird Centre. The Centre by the way is a great place for coffee and a light lunch whilst you ponder what you have seen plus the staff are friendly and helpful. All in all a fantastic day in a beautiful place!
Bass Rock - the White dots are Gannets!
Gannets Galore
Ringed Plover hiding in the seaweed and sheltered from the very strong wind
Eiders - fine looking males and one female!
The chase!
Eider in flight over a moody sea!
Majestic Gannet
Nesting material
Eider in his prime!
Redshank - the legs look redder in the North of the country!
Well balanced Redshank
Turnstone - amazing the size of the pebbles these little birds turn over
The beautiful sands of North Berwick
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