Long-tailed Skua are, along with Pomarine Skua, a bird of the spring at Skogsøy, with very few in the summer and autumn. The first birds turn up in the second half of May and can be seen until early June. It seems that this species is quite regular in late May but that lack of observer coverage at this time means that this species is under recorded.

This species can also turn up during very calm conditions.

The blue line shows number of visits, the orange one the number of visits when Long-tailed Skua have been recorded and the green one (numbers on right hand axis) shows the maximum numbers I have recorded in any three day period.

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Pomarine Skua

Arctic Skua

Maximum: 3


Second or third summer Long-tailed Skua, Ormen Lange , 02 July 2009



References
Tveit, B.O., Mobakken, G. og Bryne, O. 2004 Fugler og fuglafolk på Utsira. Utsira Fuglestasjon
Website: Fugler i Hordaland - Skogsøy i Øygarden
Svenkerud, K., Hansen, K.A. & Mjøs, A.T. 1983. Fugletrekket ved Skogsøy. Øygarden våren 1982. Krompen 12: 58-69.


The following book provides advice on identification, details of migration patterns and more. Highly recommended.