Friday, 30 July 2010

Newgale

There were c200 gulls feeding in the surf at low tide this afternoon, predominantly Black-headed, a large proportion of which were juvenile moving to 1st winter, with some Herring and a couple of adult Mediterranean Gulls. One Med Gull was just beginning its moult out of summer plumage, the other was in winter dress. Several Gannets were feeding very near to the tide line. The amount of food available in the surf must have been considerable in view of the energy expended by the gulls lifting from the water every 2 or 3 seconds to avoid breaking waves; many food items appeared relatively large, possibly small crustaceans or fry, and others small, as little effort was needed to swallow them, probably zooplankton.

A lone Whimbrel flew south over the sea.