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Friday 8 January 2016

Mediterranean Gull at Goring Gap

I started out after the morning rush hour and made my way to the Widewater at Shoreham for the drake Goosander that was reported yesterday. Several other birders who were in attendance showed that glum face that indicates an absent bird.  I hung around for about an hour and apart from four Red-breasted Mergansers there was precious little to record. On the way home I decided to give the gull roost at Goring Gap the once over. For once conditions were ideal, high tide, strong winds and lots of overnight rain to create some decent puddles. I parked opposite the one nearest to the roadside and scanned the whole field. Apart from the obvious Herring, Great Black-backed, Common and Black-headed Gulls there were hordes of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderlings and Turnstones happily searching the muddy field for some form of food.

Then it finally dawned on me that one of the gulls was a tad different, even though it had its bill between its wings it was obvious that it was a Mediterranean Gull.



 




The other birds were taking advantage of the fresh water and having a bath and I spent an hour or so snapping away. I felt duty bound to inspect Groyne No.4 and wasn't surprised to find only a few Turnstones, the wind was whipping the sea into foam and salt spray, that isn't an ideal environment for birds or for that matter my camera - time for home!








One of the Sanderlings, rather distant, was carrying colour rings.

2 comments:

  1. Great selection of photographs Dave, saw 3 adult med Gulls here on this morning, there was a 2nd winter there Thursday am too, just interested to know, was the colour ringed sanderling limping? I had one there the other day and wondered if it is the same bird, happy new year to you

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    1. Hi Nick - Happy New year to you too - hope it is a bird filled one. Didn't notice whether the Sanderling was limping, rather captured it by accident. Will have another visit next week if the weather improves.

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