A Damp December Day at Shawell

Did it get light today? Very difficult conditions.

The gulls are a bit unpredictable at present - maybe the mild weather. The lagoons were the best spot until a buzzard came a hunting.

A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was a nice surprise. These are much rarer at Shawell than Caspian Gulls - I have only found 18 since 2012.

First-Winter Mediterranean Gull, Shawell A5 Lagoons, December 10th 2016

I'd love to be able to see all the gulls gathered together in one area at the moment, as I'm sure there must be more Caspian Gulls around. I had to settle for just one adult today. Compare its clean looks to the scruffy appearance of the Herring Gull. The small head and beady dark eye also help to separate it from the Herring Gull.

Adult Caspian Gull, Shawell A5 Lagoons, December 10th 2016