ML639856475

Observation details

Presumed. Responded to our squeaking by closely approaching and swooping at boat. First bird was a chocolate brown bird in heavy wing moult that followed the boat for 5 minutes. Appeared to have some golden speckling on the nape. Then another skua approached the boat about 15 mins later and a couple km further west. We initially thought it was the same individual but it was joined at the boat by a second (photographed together), these dove at the boat together, the later departed in a chase. Finally, another skua, likely an immature not showing any wing moult. It was a blonde type with pale head and nape. It approached boat when we were close to Long Beach. More pics. Oddly possessive, it repeatedly chased away herring gulls that tried approaching the boat. Subject to further analysis and guesswork. Looking forward to reading the discussion concerning these photos :-)