Maisie's back for a few days and she fancied a trip down to Brixham. We headed down for a walk along the breakwater before a look at the shops. Nice to see the Caspian Gull still there - such a distinctive individual - this time in the outer harbour. The only other bird of note was a nice summer-plumaged Guillemot. Orcombe Point was pretty birdless this morning.
Yesterday on Orcombe - 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 2 male Wheatears, 4 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Rock Pipits and 17+ Linnets. Mudbank - 25 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Whimbrel and a flock of 30+ Jackdaws.
Hey Matt, I think the bird you photographed in Brixham on 15th Feb was the one seen a week later on the Axe by Steve Waite. Have you seen his photos? Would be funny if it had returned.
ReplyDeleteHi Jake - the bird on the 15th was always distant for me. My rubbish photos very much zoomed then cropped so hard to be sure. Certainly very feasible although something about the bill doesn't feel quite right (proportionately longer on Steve's bird?) Had already assumed the relatively large numbers through autumn/winter in Lyme Bay this year are getting seen on the Axe, the Exe and Torbay depending on where the good feeding is. Highly likely that at least some/possibly many are 'duplicates' if that makes sense? Many thanks for getting in touch. All the best. Matt.
ReplyDeleteI managed to catch up with this Caspian Gull at Brixham this afternoon and got decent views, it does look like it is the bird that visited the Axe with the pale marking on its bill matching. Nice one for picking it up again, I can’t tire of seeing these Caps!
DeleteGreat stuff Jake - pale bill tip not visible in my photos making bill look blunter/shorter. Nice to prove 'to and froing' between sites! Matt.
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