Gull Fest...

I guess with all the interest raised by the Slaty-backed(?) Gull at Rainham Tip, plenty of people are grilling their local landfills and Seaton Meadows has turned up both Glauc and Iceland over the last few days.

So I was there this morning only to find Rich had beat me to it and I'd already missed adult Iceland and 2nd winter Glaucous.... but the best was yet to come.

Over the next hour, we and Tom had two adult Yellow-legged, another Glauc (1st w) and, best of all, a 1st winter Caspian. The Caspian only the second ever Hartlepool record.

Such a collection would match any of the well known tips in the UK and justs backed up the belief that with such massive numbers of big gulls at this tip, it just needed time and effort to find the goodies.

Now, where's the Slaty-backed...

Bloody Ducks!

Heart sent racing this morning when Blicky phoned with news of possible Baikal Teal - though he wasn't that happy in reality.....

Anyway, quick twitch to Wynyard was to no avail, as the bird is clearly a Wigeon hybrid of some description :(

Been a weird couple of days. Still frustrated over the Rainham gull, which still makes me want to yell HYBRID at the top of my voice to everyone who'll listen..... and news that Bosse's crew failed to find Kelp Gull with two visits to Khniffis last week.

Still, six days 'til we can give it a go ourselves and other ticks seem lined up...... watch this space

Gull Trouble!

Talk for the last few days has been dominated by the putative Slaty-backed Gull in Essex. An expected vagrant, following the increase in Pacific vagrants due to the North-west Passage becoming free (Long-billed Murellet, Glaucous-winged Gulls) and the record of an adult in Latvia last year.

However, it's certainly not a 'classic', being pale, leggy and lacking the underwing contrast. The jury's still out in my humble opinion.......

This is one of Dominic's shots....

Back home, thing are quiet. Slav Grebe and Kingfisher being decent year ticks today but still keep missing the white-wingers round the various tips!

Northern Harrier

Finally, we've managed to get off our backsides and have a drive down for the Harrier at Thornham. What a bird! Photos struggle to show just how distinctive this bird is. This isn't one of mine but it's the best attempt I've seen at capturing this lovely bird......

Norfolk was a splendid place to spend the morning. Ross's Goose was relatively easy to find amongst the many Pink-feet and a couple of Black Brants were equally obliging....

Finally, a trip to Titchwell (my favourite RSPB site) to try out the new, VERY posh hide. A flock of Twite were nice, as were a couple of Water Pipits......

All in all, a fantastic morning's birding!

Ring-necked Duck

Finally got some decent views and shots of the RND. Now the ice has melted, it's moved to Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, confirming that it's the returning individual from last year.

Whilst this was the rarity on the pond, super views of Gadwall stole the show for me. A subtle but nonetheless stunning duck!

A slow thaw

Even though temperatures have risen, most lakes remain frozen. The small patches of free water do concentrate the wildfowl though and two Goosanders have been frequenting Bellasis Hall over the cold snap.

Yesterday, a mooch around Saltholme produced some quality, with Long-eared Owl, Green Woodpecker and an adult Yellow-legged Gull providing the entertainment.

Dormans Pool today added Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail, so the year's list is gaining momentum!

Happy New Year!!

2011 has started with a nasty bout of 'flu but finally got out today.

A nice walk round Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park removed some cobwebs but provided little in the way of birding highlights but a drake Ring-necked Duck on Dormans Pool at least provided one decent year tick. Crap light and distant views, so no bird photograph of the year award for this one :)

A little less than three weeks to get fit before my first trip of the year... Western Sahara. At least four WP ticks await and I'm really looking forward to it! I just love desert birding. With Azores booked for the autumn I need to find a nice family / birding destination for late winter or spring to fill up the calendar.......