Mediterranean Gull and supporting cast

It must be summer right enough as a Mediterranean Gull has turned up at the West Links in Arbroath in the area near the paddling pool. Needless to say I took a few, many photos so apologies for posting too many. Also some of the other gulls which were around, a couple from Keptie Pond where there had been a first sighting of a Little Grebe and a few from a walk at Scurdie Ness.

Handheld video of Mediterranean Gull, click here,    Two now at the site on 9/7/2017

Mediterranean Gull at West links, settled on the water at high tide for a few minutes before flying to B&Q to roost

Picking flies from the surface of the sea

Stunning red circle around the eye

Under-wing view

Comparison with two Black-headed Gulls

I think this Oystercatcher is the one in the next photo's parent

This young bird had just swum around twenty metres out to sea, not unheard of but reasonably rare to see

2nd summer Common Gull (looked up various photos and gull research)

Adult Common Gull

and again

Just read an article about a questionable cull of these Lesser Black-backed Gulls which are a protected species. It never ceases to amaze and sadden me the attitude that people have for nature

A very blue Carrion Crow lit up in a brief sunny spell at West Links, waiting for some poor child to drop its ice cream cone or chips

Young Coot feeding as the rain started on a gloomy afternoon at Keptie Pond in Arbroath

Tufted duck with ducklings at Keptie Pond in Arbroath. The one on the left looks quite different and I wonder if its parenthood should be questioned or if the duck has somehow adopted a mallard duckling. I'll ask my Keptie correspondent to look out for these

One of a pair of Swallow fledglings being fed by their parents near the Scurdie Ness track

These Sedge Warblers never stay still so I was lucky to get this one in the open for a few seconds

I can't be sure but I think this is one of this years young Whitethroats, it behaved like a young bird

Some of the Gannets flying north at Scurdie Ness but never close in

A pretty messed up Meadow Pipit which was feeding in the wet long grass on the Scurdie Ness track