Sutton Bingham - Mon 27 Feb

A couple of visits to the reservoir over the weekend failed to produce much, though Wigeon peaked at twenty-nine birds after several days of not seeing any on patch. An adult Great Black-backed Gull was also seen. However, a quick stop on the way in to work this morning turned up a real unexpected find. As I drove up to the northern causeway to park, an all white gull took flight and settled on the water...an Iceland Gull! I quickly stopped the car, grabbed my phone and got a record shot, I reckon it was a first winter bird.

Over the next five minutes I was able to get the 'scope set up and rattle off a couple of slightly better pictures before leaving at 8.00am, the bird took off from the water as I drove past but looked pretty settled.

 

 

 

This is my second Iceland Gull at Sutton Bingham following a bird in January 2014, this one was much more obliging though.
I popped back in to the reservoir on my way home from work and the Iceland Gull was present in the gull roost. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were also present.