Juv Caspian Gull

This beautiful Caspian Gull was off Mudbank this afternoon. My first ever juvenile (although on the cusp of being more accurately referred to as a first-winter) and only my third in Exmouth, the last being a second-winter in November 2018.

 

Maer Rocks early morning - 1 Great Skua, several Kittiwake, 1+ juvenile Mediterranean Gull and a number of small groups of wader consisting of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and at least 1 Sanderling.

Mudbank this afternoon - juvenile Caspian Gull, Osprey, 8+ Sandwich Tern and 2 juvenile/first-winter Mediterranean Gull.

Yesterday - Mudbank - 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 18 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern and a juvenile Peregrine.

23/8 - Mudbank - 7 Sandwich Tern, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Redshank, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Black-tailed Godwit, which were, unbelievably, my first in Exmouth this year.

 

 

Juvenile Sandwich Tern. One of four 'sarnies' close off Mudbank yesterday.

A horrific photo but a Bonxie resting on Maer Rocks just had to be captured for the record. Near darkness, torrential rain and gale-force wind didn't make life easy.

Two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were with a large gull flock resting on Exmouth cricket pitch. Twenty-two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were with same flock along with a handful of juveniles.

Osprey again present off Mudbank a couple times this afternoon but focus was on the Caspian Gull.