October gales

A strong WSW gale was blowing today during a short vigil at Sydvestpynten. There was a large gull movement with good numbers of Black-headed, Great Black-backed and the odd Herring/Common mixed in. 95 Cormorants west in one hour was also a good count. Not much else - 2 unidentified distant divers (probably Black-throated), a few Eider and a very brave juvenile Marsh Harrier that headed out to sea directly into the gale force wind.. A search of the bushes produced a few Chiffchaffs and good numbers of Robins but little else.. Unless I am at a good sea-watching point, strong winds are my least favourite conditions - they makes it a devil to pick up the movement of small warblers in swaying trees (not conducive to finding Yellow-browed or Pallas's Warblers!).