Note
that these were working trips, most birds observed during occasional
trips out on deck during deployment of towfish and the like. Most of my
trips to the Baltic have been relatively quiet birdwise - no large
concentrations of seabirds as in the North Sea for example. However,
movements of both waterbirds and passerines can be spectacular, even at
sea. Small numbers of auks (Guillemots and Razorbills) can be seen -
something that came as something of a surprise to me.
Most of my working trips in the Baltic have been out of the port of
Køge in SE Denmark. A great run ashore and not bad for birds
either with Black Redstart seen in the harbour area whilst the beaches
to the south can produce wildfowl and shorebirds.
Gulf of
Finland, late April 1992.
During clear weather good movements of divers
(most
specifically identified were Black-throated) and seaduck (Common Scoter
and Long-tailed Duck predominating). One amazing fall of passerines
during foggy weather with southerly winds on 30th April. Thousands of
passerines seen including Robin, Redwing, Pied Flycatcher, a few
Bluethroat, Skylark, White Wagtail and Brambling. Several Common
Sandpiper also present around the vessel.
German and Polish "sectors" late July - mid August 2000. Approximate
location 54º
30’, 14º 45’
Best bird: 3 Caspian Terns.
Osprey seen flying low over the sea towards the visible coast of
Germany on 13 August. Movements of up to 300 Common Scoter, occasional
Little Gull. Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler and Willow warbler onboard.
Commonest species Herring Gull, smaller numbers of Great and Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, few Black-headed and Common Gulls.
5941 visits
to this side since September 17, 2005.
