: Probably mid Sep-mid Nov but data scarce.
Miscellany: Until the late 1970s, Great was the only skua in our area. If one saw a skua, it was a Great by default. However in 1977 South Polar Skua, formerly a subspecies of Great Skua, was given separate species status. Since then, and thanks to a better understanding of the relative field marks, most if not all local Jun-early Sep skuas have been identified by experienced observers as South Polar. A few Great Skuas have been reliably identified on the Maine Audubon Society's annual and wide ranging mid/late September pelagic out of Bar Harbor.
Last Updated: April 26th, 2022