Iceland Gull in May


A damp, cold and breezy morning at Beddington was typified by this first-summer Iceland Gull that fitted into the wintery ambience admirably. I was fooled into calling this bird a second-winter, but the larophiles present (Mister Allan and Alfrey) pointed out that the all dark eye (not seen in this image) negates such a call. I still live and learn...

Also today were three Ringed Plovers, a Greenshank, a Dunlin, 8 Common Sandpipers, a Hobby, 16 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Wheatears and three Whinchats.

One of the regulars (Dodge) quipped that he was going home to put up the Christmas decorations because, what with the current weather, it felt the right thing to do. On the way home in the car, the news bulletin announced that today was colder than last Christmas day throughout much of the country.

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