Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpipers showing nicely at Hoylake on the Wirral amongst the thousands of Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Also of note was an adult Yellow legged Gull, several Bar tailed Godwit and some stunning summer plumage Grey Plover that were too distant to get a shot

South West England

Weekend in Cornwall didn't turn out as expected. First the pelagic boat trip was cancelled. Second the wind died on Sunday so the sea watching proved to be a complete waste of time. And it started off so promising on the first day with Cirl Bunting showing well in the awful light and rain of Friday at Prawle Point. We could see plenty of Manx Shearwater off the coast too. Our last day proved to be better with some good birds at Slimbridge. Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Yellow legged gull and Crane

Gullfest!!

Myself and Dave went to Anglers C.P. for the gull roost today. Two first winter Caspian, a third winter Yellow Legged Gull, a first winter Glaucous gull and a Kumlien's Gull. Dave was so pleased he has got all the gulls for his year list in one go!!
My dreadful phone scope shots are included as record shots. More pics and info are posted on the Barnsley site  http://barnsleybirds.blogspot.co.uk/

                                                                          Caspian

                                               

                                                                          Glaucous

                                                             

Bittern

I went back to Anglers Country Park yesterday afternoon to view the gull roost. From the bird hide I had good close views of the gulls. I saw 3 Yellow-legged Gulls a third winter, an adult and a first winter. Also present was a first winter Caspian Gull. Also seen was a Long tailed duck.  I met some very friendly local birders in the hide and they said the Bittern was being seen in the reeds at Wntersett reservoir at dusk recently. I followed in the car to the spot to view the reeds and there it was. I fabulous Bittern! Has to be the best bird of 2013 up to now. With that and the Long-eared Owl seen 2 days ago thats 2 birds that I failed to see last year already in the bag

Caspian Gull

I went to Whitley Common today near Crow Edge and had good views of an adult Caspian Gull. Also present were 2 Yellow legged Gulls amongst the Lesser Black backed Gulls. Apologies for the pics as the light was poor and the birds were a bit too distant but certainly had good scope views.
                                                

                                                            Caspian Gull

Yellow legged Gull

Gulls galore

I attended a gull masterclass run by Martin Garner yesterday at Stubber's Green near Walsall. Check out his superb web site Birding Frontiers. Its was great to be guided by such an enthusiastic guy who is clearly one of the world's gull experts. We got to grips with immature Argentatus Herring, Lesser black backed, and Great black backed gulls. We saw a fine first winter Yellow-legged gull showing some moulting wing coverts.

                                                                                                                                                                               

There was also a probable hybrid Caspian x Herring gull present.

We then went the short distance to Chasewater to view the roost. We picked up a second winter Iceland gull almost straight away. There was a further Iceland gull and a second winter Yellow-legged gull present.
All in all, it was an excellent educational day and I feel much more confident with immature gulls now