It's been a while...

14th December 2014 - Topsham

I never meant this to be a regular thing, I only wanted to post when I had something of note to write about - with pictures. Still, it's been over a month since my last post and I decided not to wait any longer. I saw the Penduline Tits sure, so luckier than some, but at 300m distance photos were never an option; they seem to be hanging around and popping up here and there so there's still chance. Meanwhile, here's a Kingfisher from Topsham Rec, close but poor light as usual this time of year. The orange base to the lower mandible makes it a female.

Kingfisher - 14/12/2014 Topsham

Oh, and have a great Christmas everybody.

Peregrine takes Kingfisher

17th September 2014 - Topsham

It was a standard morning at Topsham Rec, I was checking the gulls and examining a fairly obvious hybrid - more of which later - when a couple of agitated and noisy Kingfishers shot past me. A few minutes later they were calling again, now accompanied by anxious Black-headed Gulls and Redshanks, when a Peregrine appeared over the reeds carrying one of the Kingfishers. I grabbed a few shots, my camera was on my 'gull setting' so the results were seriously underexposed; still, it's not something I've ever seen before and I'm pleased I got anything.

Peregrine with Kingfisher - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Peregrine with Kingfisher - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Peregrine with Kingfisher - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Meanwhile back to morning's real business, the gulls.

A fairly obvious hybrid was in evidence again. The legs are pink - with a slight hint of salmon perhaps - and the head and neck are moderately streaked so no chance of mistaking this for a michahellis. The primary pattern would seem to rule out a northern argentatus Herring Gull, the only other possibility.

Hybrid Gull - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Hybrid Gull with argenteus Herring Gulls - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Hybrid Gull with argenteus Herring Gulls - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Hybrid Gull with argenteus Herring Gulls - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Hybrid Gull - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Just to make things even more interesting this juvenile Great Black-backed Gull dropped in briefly. I took a few photos and only when checking them later noticed the yellow leg ring. It's D:DB I think which would mean this bird was ringed in South Wales but I'm waiting for confirmation.

Great Black-backed Gull juv., colour ring D:DB - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Great Black-backed Gull juv., colour ring D:DB - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Great Black-backed Gull juv., colour ring D:DB - 17/9/2014 Topsham

Update 17/9/2014 Just had a very prompt reply from Richard Clarke of the Goldcliff Ringing Group, the GBB Gull was ringed on the nest 8th June on Denny Island in the Bristol Channel, Monmouthshire (actually right in the middle of the Bristol Channel). This is the first subsequent sighting.