The three most common albatrosses, the two giant petrels, and White-chinned Petrel and Sooty Shearwater are, as always, present. They are joined in summer by Cory’s (mainly diomedea subspecies, also known as Scopoli’s Shearwater) and Great Shearwaters, along with smaller numbers of Soft-plumaged Petrel (early summer) and the occasional Spectacled Petrel, and Manx and Flesh-footed Shearwaters. The majority of Great-winged Petrels make their appearance only at this time, having spent the harsh Antarctic winter at their breeding grounds further south. Good numbers of European Storm Petrel join the ever-present Wilson’s Storm Petrel, while the rare Leach’s Storm Petrel (p.40*) is mainly seen beyond the continental shelf. Black-bellied Storm Petrel is present only in small numbers, as a passage migrant, in late September/October and again in April.

The common Arctic, uncommon Pomarine and Subantarctic and very scarce Long-tailed Skuas patrol the skies closer inshore. Arctic Tern is a passage migrant, although it is seen in smaller numbers throughout the summer, along with Sabine’s Gull. Lucky observers may see small flocks of Grey Phalarope.