Nice to have an opportunity to catch-up with the Ring-billed gull, now into its 16th year of visiting the site. Considering the average lifespan is apparently 3-10 years we've been fortunate to have had it's company for so long. There is an interesting article on why these visits may becoming increasingly rare https://www.birdguides.com/articles/britain-ireland/the-rise-and-fall-of-ring-billed-gull/. There are also changes happening at Llys-y-fran that I hope wont impact unduly on these opportunities.
Otherwise very few gulls came to roost. The 70 LBB at 5pm were joined by only another 200 by dusk. A single BH gull, a 2cy GBB and 3 or 4 Herring gulls made up the limited mix. (Not the
10 gull species Paul G had on a visit a few weeks ago) Also
15 Goldeneye (3m, 12 f), 12 GC grebe, starting to pair up, a red-headed
goosander, don't see many of those these days, and a single drake
Tuftie, and about a dozen Mallard. A Cormorant of the sinensis sub species sporting its breeding silvery-white head and distinctive gular patch (there were another dozen birds too distant to be pinned down to sub species), which in contrast to the Ring-billed gull are now an increasing sight on freshwater. My first singing
Chiffchaff of the year confirmed spring is well and truly here.
Earlier at Ty Rhyg, nice to see and hear a couple of Willow tits and over at Rosebush 3 Goldeneye (1m, 2f), singles of GC grebe and Little grebe, a Moorhen and 2 heron.
