Met up with Steve A today and hit the tip at 07:40hrs, the weather was grim, dark, grey, cold and with constant rain made it a strong contrast to what I have been used to. As we drove up on to the tip face Steve and I chatted and caught up with goings on during the near on 2 years since we last spent time up on the tip. I didn't hold out much hope with seeing much today but did silently hope for the juv Glauc that Steve had last week. The near adult- 4th year Glauc above and below was a blinding start. The light was real bad today and so I struggled to get any sharp photos and so these 2 shots was the best I could do.
A very respectful 8 Caspian Gulls were recorded with the adult above and 1st winter below allowing some photographic opportunities. Steve had a Med Gull briefly but I was unable to locate it but it wasn't seen again and no others were seen. Yellow Legged Gulls were represented by just 2 individuals.
Now some might find it difficult to comprehend but I have taken a few weeks leave from work to visit family & friends over the festive season and yet I spent near on 8 hours today on site at a dirty, muddy, smelly and noisy landfill site in Essex and you know what - I loved it. Thanks to Steve for yet another enjoyable day up the tip.
Great bird, the almost-4th-cy Glauc! I yet have to see this plum! Have a great time in SX. There's nothing wrong with rubbish tips or sewage works, and there's nothing wrong with being hours and hours out in the field in winter either ;-)
ReplyDeleteCheers, Vincent