ML639886158

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 (10:43-10:47). Appeared to have some golden speckling on the nape. Then another skua approached the boat about 15 mins later (11:14-11:15) and a couple km further west. We initially thought it was the same individual but it was joined at the boat (11:16-11:17) by a second (photographed together), these dove at the boat together, the later departed in a chase. [photos confirm that the 10:43 and 11:14 birds were the same individual]. The two skuas that were interacting were both in heavy wing moult. Finally, another skua, [this one moved to subsequent list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S264470354] 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 :-)