Dale

Paid a visit to Dale to check out the gull roost this evening. Despite the sheltered location there were surprisingly few large gulls (c50 LBB and Herring gulls inc a darker mantled bird possibly the Yellow-leg from a few days ago), 20 adult Med gulls and a dozen Common gulls. Around 4.30, coinciding with high tide, there was a mass arrival of BH gulls (c500) who started to dip feed in front of the slipway. My attempt to find anything exciting among them was curtailed by fading light and a torrential downpour. 2 Great Northern divers close in. I did notice a lot of larger gulls drifting over in the direction of West Dale (off to the islands?). Here's to a prosperous birding 2018.