Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Iceland Gull, Purple Sandpipers and an "odd gull"

On Wednesday I came across an adult Iceland Gull while looking for another, a 2nd winter which had been seen at Arbroath Harbour. Unfortunately the adult was too far away for anything other than a photo good enough to confirm my ID. Not long after seeing the adult another Iceland Gull flew past and continued north to Victoria Park where a flock of Herring Gulls were being fed from a car! I went along to where the small burn drains onto the beach at an old sewage pipe where the gulls preen and the bird below, which was likely the one flying by was sitting.
Also some photos of other gulls at Danger Point including an odd one, and then too late in the day I ventured to Westhaven where a flock of Turnstones and two Purple Sandpipers were feeding on the high tide at the old gun emplacement.


Iceland Gull at Victoria Park, Arbroath, click here for HD video

Purple Sandpiper at Westhaven, click here for HD video

Herring Gull recycling an unknown species? click here for HD video

Odd looking Gull, long beak and dark patches, click here for HD video


Iceland Gull at Victoria Park, Arbroath. The beak says it's a 1st winter but other photos suggest the plumage is 2nd winter. Either way it's Iceland Gull


Purple Sandpiper near Westhaven at high tide and sundown


This, a different bird turned up just when the camera started to refuse to focus in the light and drizzle


I've tried to guess at what species this young Herring Gull is eating but I'll leave it as unknown. Seen in the Brothock Burn where it flows into the sea at Danger Point (Old Brewhouse)


Another strange looking gull at Danger Point, I thought the head was unusually dark and is on both sides, and the beak in this pose looked very long and larger than the gull just behind it


This photo of the gull above also shows black patches on the wings. It's just an "odd herring gull" I assume

2 comments:

  1. I'd guess Feral Pigeon for the food. The Herring Gull at the end I think has been foraging in about something that has resulted in the smudging (soot?).

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  2. Feral Pigeon seems a safe bet, they roost under the bridge I was standing on. I'll keep an eye out to see if the "smudged" gull stays that way but knowing gulls eating habits dirt or soot is a good bet.

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