DOG and GUN yesterday.
As expected, dense fog on the tops this morning with Leeshaw just below the cloud base but very heavy rain and drizzle throughout. The fog was courtesy of a light E>2 at 13 degrees.
A surprise to get 2 Common Sandpipers below the dam wall on the cobbles but otherwise just the 3 hirundine species over the water plus the usual geese.
The plan for this mornings trip was to check the gull field again after yesterdays Yellow Legged Herring, where the above dark eyed gull stood out in the same group of birds. After checking photos etc plus a text query I believe this gull to be a sub adult Caspian.
It has the correct pear shaped head with a long sloping forehead and the small dark bullet hole eye which is rarely seen on adult Herrings. It had pink legs but being in the grass I could,nt get a sighting of the Tibia which is noticeably longer on Caspian. The gentle expression on the face is described as being reminiscent of a large Common gull, rather than the fierce look of a Herring gull.
It also has the characteristic full, high breast bulging to just below the throat.
Hopefully I,ll bump into this bird again to get some better shots, particularly the wings as there is always chance of a hybrid.
With the chance of waders very slim over Aug/Sept, due to high water levels, its going to be down to wildfowl and gulls over the next birding period.
BS