Quick Flash

Decided on a trip over to Sandbach Flashes this afternoon for the Glossy Ibis that has set up temporary residency. A fabulous bird that showed ridiculously well, just a shame the light wasn't the best. Probably worth another trip sometime soon.

Also on the flashes was the regular 1w Iceland Gull and a possible near adult Caspian Gull, but i am having that verified before i post pictures!

Gull time

Winter has set in and with it comes the annual 'turn our attention' to gulls exercise. Recent visits to Richmond Bank have been rewarding with decent numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls and Iceland Gulls, but my mission to find a Caspian Gull goes on! Yesterday decided on an afternoon visit to Moore NR. A 2w Iceland Gull was picked out immediately on Pumphouse pool and a quick drive up to Arpley tip produced 15,000+ gulls though viewing leaves a lot to be desired. With that i turned my attention to Birchwood pool first i picked out what i presume to be a leucistic Herring Gull, to the untrained eye it could have been mistaken for an Iceland Gull. 1w Kumlien's did cross my mind but i just think it looks Herring, don't they all! A surprising chat next with Geoff Atherton and wife, surprising as Geoff lives on Foula.

Next a very nice 3w Iceland Gull showed well.

Then a strange gull? 1w plumage but the bill pattern and pale eye suggested an older bird?

Our poxy attempts to see Iceland Gulls pale into insignificance when i see what is on isle at the moment. Check it out here.

Happy New Year

I will do a review of 2011, when i can be bothered!
Decided on a trip over to Norfolk yesterday for the Western Sandpipier. Early at Cley and in the hide to be told "its just flown off" typical. Thankfully it wasn't long before it was picked out with the Dunlin. Unfortunately it failed to come close enough for any decent photos. A trip to Buckenham/Cantley was pointless. No Black Brant at Well's. Titchwell hosted a Mealy Redpoll and the putative Coue's Arctic, though i have my doubts and being honest if i was seeing this bird on Shetland in the autumn it would also be a Mealy. but what do i know. I am thinking of doing a Redpoll post and trawling through my Shetland Mealy shots for comparison? We shall see.