Seawatching, june-august 1989

Although seawatching was not spectacular, some 150 hours were spent on coastal sites; mainly at the Hondsbossche Zeewering (Hbz) and in Egmond aan Zee (Egm). 36 hours were received from sites in Zuid-Holland (mainly Scheveningen and Bloemendaal). Shearwaters were observed in small numbers but far more frequently than in other summers. Manx Shearwaters predominated and the maximum count was 72 individuals on 28 June (Hbz). Remarkable records were 3 Balearic and 2 Cory’s Shearwaters in August. Fulmars were more numerous than usual, but numbers never exceeded some tens/day. Hundreds of Gannets were seen on some days in July and August, mainly during strong westerly winds.