I think John may be referring to me – however I retired from the North Sea last year, and now do most of my birding in Spain!

I have been watching this thread with interest – Gander you are about to enter the best period for birdwatching on rigs from late August through to November. I remember we had raptors like Merlin, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and both Long and Short-eared Owls take up residence on the rig for three or four weeks, just living on exhausted migrants which had landed on deck. The most surprising bird I encountered offshore in 30 years still remains the Water Rail – I had 3 of them over the years.