Another hot visit to Fly Flatts with just enough W>3 to keep it comfortable and a steady build up of cloud which pleasingly kept blanking out the nasty yellow ball.
Armed to the hilt with gear I headed on the west bank in search of my Caspian type gull but got a nasty shock when I got opposite the east peat banking where the gull had been yesterday to find the single BHG was still around as well as the single LBB but a dead gull was in the area that my gull had been in. It was impossible to say that was the same gull and unfortunately its in a inaccessible place so I,ll never know although its highly likely . Yesterday the gull barely moved and its plumage was well puffed up which I dismissed at the time. Time will tell if it reappears but Im not holding my breath.
Common Sandpipers are moving on daily now with possibly just 2 pair and 3 juvs left , the juvs flying and their plumage improving daily.
The same applies to Dunlin with just 1 pair and a juv around the lagoon area although there may be more at the northern ponds.
A kestrel flew over high and fast carrying a vole type victim.
As I drove home past the Raggalds the field opposite held several big gulls so a quick anchor on and out with the camera. Around 15 LBB, 6 Commons, 9 BHGs and 5 Herring gulls were present along with the bonus of a Yellow Legged Herring gull, right on schedule in July, a nice end to the day. Unfortunately the Herrings had gone to roost by the time CK got there but I,m sure they,ll return there over the weekend.
Thanks to KM and DC for the interest in the gull.
BS