1st winter Iceland Gull

The 1st Winter Iceland Gull has been around the Stone Barges at Rainham Marshes for a few days now and I was keen to go along and photograph it myself, so  Friday evening I managed to go after work and in the fading light I got some  images, not ideal but with a bit of a heavy crop they're ok. Another smart Gull and a real pale bird too and very distinctive in flight. I've seen Iceland, Kumlien's and Caspian Gulls here on the same metal structure over the years.   

 

A full day's birding/dipping

It was certainly a mixed day of fortune yesterday whilst out with Jono and Nick. We dipped the Ross's Gull in Glamorgan by about 15 minutes even after Jono telling me the night before "I don't dip Shaun". Whilst there we had 3 Little Gull, 4 Med Gull, some Kittiwakes and a pair of Goosander, little reward for staying 4 hours searching for the gem of the high Arctic.

On the way home we stopped at Marshfield in Gloucestershire for the long staying Red-flanked Bluetail, which was my third one I've seen (very smart birds) Add in 2 Raven, a  full day's birding, some good year ticks, a tick for Nick with the Bluetail and at last some sunshine!

 

Red-flanked Bluetail

Male Goosander

Female Goosander 

Raven

Med- Essex

On Sunday I made another vist to Southend on Sea and started on the pier to get images of the Mediterranean Gulls. All three age groups were seen but due to the high winds myself and my young nephew George made our way back to the beach for some really good close views and in bigger numbers than what was around the pier. Southend is the best place to photograph Med Gulls in Essex!   

 

Adult

2nd Winter

Glauc it up

More images of the juvenile Glaucous Gull from last weekend at Dungeness

 

1st winter Kittiwake at Dungeness

Just like the Glaucous Gull this 1stWinter Kittiwake put on a good show too at the weekend on Dungeness beach. I've always enjoyed Dunge but over the last couple of months I would go far as saying that its become my favourite place to go birding and especially when I'm using the camera and also the fact days like this its 'Gull heaven'!

 

Juvenile Glaucous Gull at Dungeness

Really enjoyed a morning session down at Dungeness on Saturday morning the light was good and the birds were superb. I started on the beach near the fishing boats looking for the dark biscuit coloured Juvenile Glaucous Gull without any luck as were Paul and Dave who were down in Kent too. As I was getting trigger happy with the camera on a 1st Winter Kittiwake feeding on some sea fisherman's left over bait 'BOOM' the Glauc sat down to see what was happening. It gave great views, flying up and down the beach too. A huge bird and one of my fav's this year Gull wise. A quick call to the boys who were just about to leave the site,  who then enjoyed it for about half an hour? After taking some hunderd or so shots we watch it fly to the Gull roost. Just a shame Mick and Rich wasn't there to enjoy it too!