Ivory Gull

I've always wanted to see a Ivory Gull and yesterday at Patrington Haven in Yorkshire I got to see this high Arctic gem for myself along with Martin Blow, Jono and Nick. An early start and nearly four hours in the car to get there and a long hour wait after we arrived the Ivory Gull put on a real show . The atmosphere was completely different from other twitches that I've been on, everyone went really quiet as the bird came closer and closer after first being spotted about a mile away, when it flew past Sammy's point and even when it flew in with its stiff wing flight action to feed on the fish on the floor. Everyone was  still quiet and all you could hear was people's shutters on their cameras. I do love that noise! With its peppered black spots and short black legs and long bill it looks much smarter than in any book that I've seen. It was a long day BUT well worth it..................