SEABIRDS AND CETACEANS FROM SANTURZI

Taking advantage of the fact that we're spending summer here in Asturias, we decided to go on a seatrip with Gorka Ocio from Santurzi to see seabirds and cetaceans.

The trip started at 7.30 am sharp and our aim was to cruise the edge of the deep water a few miles offshore.

We found 3 huge shearwater flocks with the 5 species wheeling round or floating on the water in rafts, together with Greak Skuas, one Pomarine and one Arctic. We also saw Storm Petrels really close to the boat.

Later on a beautiful pod of Common Dolphins was bow riding us for 5 minutes or more. We could even hear their clicking sounds!!

Due to the choppy sea we couldn't get out to the best deep water so we didn't sea many more cetaceans, only a pod of 7 Bottlenosed Dolphins on the way back in.

I hope to make another trip next year on a calmer sea with more sea mammal sightings. For those who haven't tried it, the seatrips with Gorka Ocio are magnificent. Even with such a choppy sea as we badlucked into last Sunday, the sight of dolphins and shearwaters so close to the boat is unforgettable.

Sorry also about the lack of entries lately. August is the boringest month . . .

Cory's Shearwater in flight



Common Dolphins bow-riding

A raft of Great, Cory's and Sooty Shearwaters

Storm Petrel

RED-BACKED SHRIKE. GETTING CLOSER . . .

This morning we made a lightning trip to Ribadesella and dropped in on a Red-Backed Shrike territory we know nearby, just in case. The bird proved to be super obliging in lovely early-morning sunlight. Here are a few photos of the beauty.

THE REDBACK'S LARDER

A few days ago here in Arriondas (Asturias) I was lucky enough to find something I’ve always wanted to see: a Red-Backed Shrike’s larder. It was a tad distant but even so the following sequence of photos gives a nice idea of events.

 First it arrives at the larder, swag in beak (the word “swag” seems fitting for a bird with such a robber’s mask) and pins it on the hook.

With the booty now hanging from the hook, it seems to be mulling over which titbit to eat first.

It eventually decides for the tail and bends down to amputate it.

 And down it goes to his great satisfaction.

The words in the speech bubble say “Lizard’s tail . . . mmmmmm . . . . my favourite”. Obviously this bird thinks and speaks in Spanish so we have to subtitle him.