Northern sp, Baltic
crop factor = 1344mm. exp 1000, apt f 9 iso 6400
hence noisy images, ( grain effect)
First stop was Fly Flatts to find it slightly misty and heavy drizzle which made me wonder to give it a try or move on but a wagon blocking the track, unloading pipes decided for me so on to Leeshaw reservoir where it was dark and drizzly but decent visibility.
Several BH and Common gulls were on and around the water with a single Herring gull which stood out as being different having extensive dark winter head streaks and a slightly darker blue/grey mantle and wings with a real butch looking shaped head making me think Yellow Legged. When it eventually settled on the tower I scoped it for leg colour finding them a very dull yellowish green rather than pink but not bright enough for Yellow Legged. Unfortunately I missed the bird flying so couldnt check the primaries and tertials.
Back at home going through the Gulls of the world photographic guide and the internet Gulls i.d. it points to the northern ssp Baltic, Scandinavia, Finland , argentatus
rather than the British argenteus although the photos were poor given the distance and conditions but its always good to find a bird like this as it makes you get the books out and do a bit of studying.
My back up gull team may have thoughts on this bird !
Otherwise things were poor apart from several Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare and Redwings in the fields with just Mallards on the water.
By late afternoon the fog up here in the Gods was as thick as pea and ham soup with very heavy rain so it was just a very wet and murky dog walk around Foxhill. At least we didnt get any of the promised snow although it was snowing as we went to bed last night.
BS