The Invasion Gathers Momentum

Every July Britain gets invaded by visitors from the south. Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis) are what i'm talking about of course and 24 were at Shawell yesterday. As I've already said the real prize is a fresh juvenile and there were three at the lagoons.

By the month's end up to 50 YLGs will be present if last years totals are anything to go by.

I wonder what encourages the young birds to fly so far north?

Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, Shawell A5 Lagoons, 16/07/16