Arctic Skua, Stercorarius parasiticus

Status

A scarce autumn and rare spring passage migrant: c69 records.

Adults seem to pass through earlier in autumn than immatures, being responsible for most, but not all, of the August records. Immatures then predominate in September and October. In autumn, birds follow the main rivers out of the Wash Estuary and southwest high over land towards the Severn Estuary (This phenomenon has been covered in papers in bird reports of the Cambridgeshire Bird Club). Although strong northwesterly winds and bad weather have accounted for the highest numbers at Grafham Water, birds appear in all conditions. Birds appearing in good weather seem to move on quickly.

Monthly totals (including probables) as follows:

• January - 1
• February - 0
• March - 0
• April - 6
• May - 3
• June - 0
• July - 1
• August - 8
• September - 30
• October - 14
• November - 3
• December - 3

Spring Records

• 14 April 2007, 1 dark phase adult, flew east early evening.
• 2 May 2006, 1, flew east at 7pm.
• 23 April 2005, 2 adults flew high east mid-afternoon.
• 19 April 1992, 2
• 14 May 1967, 2 (probables)
• 25 April 1967, 1
• 5 January 1966, 1 (Arctic or Pomarine)

Autumn Records

• 1 September 2007, 5, including at least two juveniles, flew southwest at 10.15am.
• 2 December 2006, 2 flew south over Mander CP at 1.30pm.
• 22 September 2004, 1
• 31 August 2004, 1 juvenile flew southwest early afternoon.
• 28 September 2003, 1
• 23 September 2002, 1 juvenile present early morning (thought to be different to bird on previous day)
• 22 September 2002, 1 juvenile flew west.
• 31 August 2001, 1
• 14 September 1996, 1
• 19 September 1995, 2
• 22 August 1993, 1
• 23 December 1991, 1
• 5 November 1991, 3
• 11 October 1991, 2
• 1 October 1991, 8 (Highest count)
• 29 September 1991, 1
• 16 September 1989, 1
• 25 August 1989, 1 (probable)
• 2 July 1989, 1 (very early autumn date)
• 30 October 1988, 1 (probable)
• 1-3 September 1988, 1
• 25 October 1976, 1
• 12 September 1976, 6
• 6 September 1976, 1
• 8 August 1976, 1
• 24 September 1974, 3
• 14-18 October 1973, 1
• 3 September 1973, 6
• 19 August 1972, 1
• 23 August 1969, 2 (probables)

Highest counts