White Winged Christmas!

Not one but two Iceland Gulls present at Collieston for the last couple of days - CB's third-winter bird still at Cransdale, and a freshly-arrived first-winter taking shelter in the harbour. A lovely Christmas present for us.

3rd-winter Iceland, Cransdale

 

First-winter Iceland, Collieston harbour

Merry Christmas everyone, and here's wishing you a happy and bird-filled 2014, from Sam & Rosie.

Iceland Gull Reprise

At  very similar date to last year, and once again following gale force winds, an Iceland Gull is ranging around Cransdale Head. A 3rd Winter bird, this one also like last winter's

3rd Winter Iceland Gull

bird shows some markings in the outer primaries, but insufficient evidence overall to indicate Kumlien's to my mind.
 There were good numbers of gulls in the Cransdale area, feeding on the storm produced debris, often forming spectacular mobs feeding over the sea surface at close range.

Winter Chiffchaffs

There were two Chiffchaffs in the village yesterday, one at the roadside willows. This one was clearly "Common" having a run-of-the-mill call and appearance. The other which was mobile in "Hightown" could  possibly have been  of more Eastern origin, but wasn't heard to call. Good late records, though not unprecedented.