Thursday 22 December 2016

Long-tailed Duck and Gulls

Great morning started at Amroth with the aim of going through a very large gull flock. Almost 1,000 birds present, mainly Herring and Black-headed Gulls and at least 100 Common Gulls. Despite the numbers the best I could do was a new 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, a 1st winter Med Gull (and an adult yesterday), and an adult Kittiwake. A great surprise was a Long-tailed Duck flying passed. After flying across the bay it finally came to land just off Wisman's Bridge. I went over and soon picked it fairly close in between Wiseman's and Coppet Hall. Also out in the bay was 4 Red-breasted Merganser (3F + 1M), a RT Diver, a Guillemot, 70+ Scoter and a GC Grebe, and 3 Turnstones on the beach.