The weekend weather indicated opportunities for potential sea bird passage down the east cost. Saturday 5th September and there was a strong North Westerly wind blowing as we arrived at Filey Brigg, on the Yorkshire Coast. After a precarious trek down to the Hide, and I mean precarious, I began my first proper sea watch for many years. Filey is a great place for birds and the sea at the Brigg was chaotic. We were quickly watching large numbers of Gannet and Fulmar heading in all directions. Eventually I picked up my first Sooty Shearwater, followed by another 15 or so, all heading north, during the next few hours. Some were close in giving good views. Small numbers of Manx Shearwater, a possible Balearic Shearwater, a single Bonxie, small parties of Common Scoter and Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck and a few Arctic Skua chasing the terns and kittiwakes as they were passing by. Not a bad couple of hours. We then headed off to Hornsea Mere in the hope of a few Little Gull and I was not to be disappointed. A small group were roosting on the board walk platforms by the boating lake, giving reasonable photographic opportunities. These beautiful small gulls congregate at Hornsea Mere during this time of year and can reach very large numbers during the late evening gull roost. Although most of the adults were in heavy moult, some were still in good condition but the Juvenile present was immaculate. A few year ticks and the year list moves slowly on to 223.
Little Gull – Juvenile – Hornsea Mere – Tony Davison© A simply stunning individual. Note the short pink legs.
Little Gull – moulting adult – Hornsea Mere – Shame about the blue tape wrapped round the rope. Sometimes you can’t have it all ways! – Tony Davison©
Little Gull – moulting adults – above two images – you can see the black underwing on the primaries, which is a useful ID pointer when the birds are in flight – Tony Davison©
