... two pairs looking territorial while nearby a few Dunlin fed and Lapwings still in winter mode ...
It is always a joy to visit my old stomping ground of Tyneside ... and particularly the Fish Quay at North Shields where white-winged gulls have been a special draw for me over four decades ... the relaxed and friendly locals at the Fish Quay make birding there easy ...
Eiders were swimming around in small groups with both males and females performing head-throwing displays along with their quirky vocalisations ...
Then the juvenile Glaucous Gull that had frequented the area for ten days or so flew in and perched on the quay ...
... a superb looking individual with that characteristic pink-based bill with solid black tip ...
... as it flew the fine markings on the tail and wing coverts contrasted with the pale primaries ...
... and as it circled overhead along with some Herring Gulls the light made the primaries look almost transparent ...
After some time flying around it joined some other birds on the roof of the Fish Quay ...
... but taking off again as the sun came through it looked very pale ...
... then, never particularly keen to join the other gulls, it alighted on another rooftop ...
... and finally more great views as the gull again perched on the edge of the quay ... looking truly imperious ...
No comments:
Post a Comment