Thursday 26 December 2013

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.

Saturday 21 December 2013

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.

Monday 2 December 2013

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.