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Showing posts from February, 2012

More colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls@Watermead CP South

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Here is a few shots of at least two new colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls I saw today at Watermead CP South. Also noted in the nearby Swan flock was a Juvenile/first summer type Whooper Swan (maybe son of Harold?!).

Jerome Isma-Ae - Speed (Original Mix)

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A bit of a kicking tune!...

Mystery Gull@ Watermead CP South

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Here are a few photos of an interesting gull I saw last week at Watermead CP South . It's probably an aberrant adult  Herring Gull but if you look at it's primaries the bird shows a mix of black and grey colouring( So maybe a Herring x Glaucous-winged Hybrid or even Herring x Kumlien's Gull?!).

Gull masterclass: Stubber's Green, West Midlands

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On Saturday I attended Martin Garner's of Birding Frontier's fame Gull master-class at Stubber's Green,Walsall, West Midlands. As usual with Martin's classes there are very informative and a great experience when watching the very misunderstood larger gulls complex. Although I didn't see any white-wingers at Stubber's Green, I did improve my knowledge on the tricky 1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls and 2nd winter Caspian Gulls , when Martin picked them out in the sizeable gull flock. What was also interested to note was the number of "Northern" Herring Gulls at this site. I now believe that the majority of the Herring Gulls which occur in the Midlands during the winter are of the " Northern" race (Argentatus). So in conclusion if you have the chance to go on one of Martin's classes and have the same addiction for gulls as myself, I couldn't recommend it more highly! Which one is the unusual gull?... Ok it's a 1st wint...

Saltwater (Original) by Chicane

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Orange billed White-fronted Goose!?!

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Whilst watching the Goose flock down at Wanlip North GPS yesterday I noticed that one of the juvenile White-fronted Geese appeared to have an orange bill. Although my experience is limited with Greenland White-fronts, I had a nagging doubt that this bird might actually be one? Have a look at the record shots of the bird and comments are most welcome of it's ID?

Bittern@Watermead CP North reedbed

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Here is a few photos of one of the Bitterns at Watermead CP North reedbed view from Crake hide yesterday.

BBC East Midlands Today -Sally Goes Wild - Short Eared Owl - Cossington ...

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Mr.Hague (aka drunkbirder) moment of glory!?!... Ps I was the spotter for the day and the footage of the Short-eared Owls was because I put Adam the camerman on to them!!...

The Gulls: Shawell A5 pool

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A quick trip over to Shawell yesterday produced a good assortment of Gulls. These included the long-staying 3rd winter/near adult Iceland Gull and the  German ringed adult Med Gull . I got some crappy record shots of the Med Gull but the Iceland wasn't playing ball! So below you will see a  couple of shots by Neil Hagley and myself of the Med Gull over the last two years. Also click on the link about the origin of the German Med Gull:  http://www.gull-research.org/papers/...eljuly2011.pdf

Bean meanz OMFL ticks!!

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Here is a couple of shots of the "Tundra" Bean Goose which has been with the Goose flock at Wanlip North GPs since last week at least. The Bean Goose sighting was a county and Soar valley tick for me!  "Tundra" Bean Goose Thanks to Colin Green for taken them and these weren't taken from the Yachting club track!!