Saturday 28 January 2012

Another gull day in Aberdeenshire

Chris and I managed 25 'white-wingers' today.

At least 15 Iceland Gulls and 4 Glaucous Gulls were at Peterhead today, with most birds around the harbour. These 15 were counted during a single spot count so it is almost certainly a considerable underestimate as I'm sure there must have been other Icelands around other parts of Peterhead at that time... . Both the adult and sub-adult Kumlien's were seen today also (it is possible they are included witin the count of 15). Harry joined us for a photo session in the afternoon - which is almost a rare as Kumlien's here :-). At Fraserburgh, the third-winter Kumlien's was still present, with three Iceland and 2 Glaucs there also

Below. First-winter Kittiwake, Peterhead. When 'Kitts' start appearing in numbers in the harbour, it gives you a little hope for something smaller and rarer with a diamond shaped tail. It's happended several times before, but not this year (yet)
As well as the birds, the Grey Seals are a big attraction for visitors in the harbours. Here, one of the fish factory workers provides lunch for the Peterheads residents.


First-winter Iceland Gull, Peterhead. Not many first-winters have been reported.

Second-winter Iceland Gull, Peterhead. The most common age group in this influx.



Below. Second-winter Glaucous Gull, Peterhead. This bird can often be found feeding on washed up carcases on the shoreline in Peterhead harbour. Today in was feasting on a dead seal - last weekend it was a Pink-footed Goose.


First-winter Glaucous Gull, Fraserburgh. This rather dark individual can often be found raiding fish bins in it's adopted home of the Kinnaird Head factory, Fraserburgh. It's been around for several weeks.


Below.Third-winter Kumlien's Gull, Fraserburgh (5 images). This individual has been around for over 3 weeks.




Adult Iceland Gull, Peterhead (4 images below)

Newfoundland Kumlien's Gulls - some images of adults

An assortment of images of adult Kumlien's from St Johns - spot the Thayers look-a-like in picture 8 - but who would dare claim one in the world capital of kumlieni!














































































Friday 27 January 2012

NF 2007 - experiences with an Ivory Gull

Whilst looking through my Kumlien's Gull images from NF in 2007, I came across these photos of the Ivory Gull that had taken up residence in the town of St. Johns, were we were staying. It became something of a local celebrity, with locals feeding it moose sausages and seal meat. My experiences with this bird were special - one of these once in a lifetime moments. Great to look back on and rememeber - I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do... What a bird!















Newfoundland Kumlien's Gulls - an assortment of second-winters

Here's a few second-winter birds from St. Johns - this is probably my favourite age group - there's always something 'going on' and so variable and contrasting with their plumage at this age. Some of these should stand out like a sore thumb over here, but others are on the border line.. I'll leave you to decide which ones!





















































Newfoundland Kumlien's Gulls - an assortment of first-winters

As it's topical at the moment, here's an assortment of first-winter Kumlien's Gull from St. Johns, Newfoundland from a trip there in February 2007. Some of these birds would be identifiable over here, some not. How many would you stick your neck out and claim from this selection of 11birds...? three for me (at a push four!) and would you dare to claim a vagrant glaucoides in Newfoundland!