The adult Bonaparte's Gull showed well, albeit briefly, off Shelly Beach at 1430 this afternoon.
A good spell of birding mid-afternoon with the adult Bonaparte's Gull off Shelly Beach and, very shortly afterwards, a (presumed) juvenile Glaucous Gull which appeared overhead before ditching down on Bull Hill, where it remained with Great Black-backed Gulls. A Great Northern Diver was off there too and the Long-tailed Duck was scoped from the Quay as it fed off Warren Point. In the marina - the usual Guillemot and a Kingfisher.
A look off Maer Rocks early morning revealed the ever-present 3 immature drake Eider, 13+ Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe and my first Fulmar of the year - a single bird south.
Off Mudbank - 6 Goldeneye and 70+ Grey Plover.
A scoot round a few local sites yesterday produced 5 Great Northern Divers and the Long-tailed Duck from the Grove, a Firecrest behind the cricket club and off Maer Rocks - 3 Eider, 3+ Turnstone and at least 3 Purple Sandpiper.
The Sowden finch flock included c30/40+ Brambling and 10+ Reed Bunting.
Glaucous Gull -picked up as it was almost directly overhead and 'snapped' as it headed for Bull Hill. Pretty sure it's a juvenile but didn't get a great view.
Glaucous Gull roosting on Bull Hill with Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Powderham Church yesterday with a particularly intense rainbow - viewed from Mudbank.
Thanks for the text. Nice shots of the Bonaparte’s mate. Gutted I missed it at such close range I managed a few awful shots of the Glaucious (on my blog) It was just a bit distant for my equipment. At least I’m starting to photograph things I guess. Catch you soon and will have to meet up for a beer at some point?
ReplyDeleteHi Spencer - yes - great you're getting photos. Reckon you did pretty well considering the distance! The Bonaparte's Gull was present again late pm so I'm sure you'll catch up with it. All the best. Matt
ReplyDeleteHi. Yeah heard the Bonaparte’s turned up again later but I had to shoot off. I’m sure I’ll cafch up with it soon enough. Thanks for the comments on the photos. You can see what it is.
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