The west coast of Scotland has seen an influx of such gulls over the past few weeks; mainly Glaucous and Iceland, with a few Mediterranean and even Little Gull, being reported.
So we spent the day travelling around the Clyde coast, with a stop at Lochwinnoch, hoping to see some of these cracking birds and, I am pleased to say, we were partly successful. In total, we saw c50 species including Red-throated Diver, Purple Sandpiper and Water Rail but the star birds were two juvenile Glaucous Gulls, in and around Troon Harbour ......
Bird 1
Bird 1
Bird 2
Bird 2
As well as in and around coastal harbours and bays, these gulls can be found on inland lochs, reservoirs, ponds and landfill sites, so keep your eyes open and you may be lucky!
I normally limit reporting sightings to those from the Greater Glasgow area, but today I've included some from further afield, all courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine:
Wednesday 7 February 2018
A 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and two Iceland Gulls (a 1st and 2nd-winter) at Greengairs landfill, Airdrie.
The adult Ring-billed Gull again at Strathclyde Loch in the morning.
Tuesday
6 February 2018
An adult Little Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull in Cardwell Bay, Gourock.
42 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Gartocharn.
Today's highlights amongst the 2000+ birds at Blackstoun Farm included a Merlin, 16 Twite, 21 Bramblings and still 400 Skylarks.
Still six Bramblings in a Hollows Avenue, Foxbar garden.
A Jay in Linn Park, Glasgow.
An adult Little Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull in Cardwell Bay, Gourock.
42 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Gartocharn.
Today's highlights amongst the 2000+ birds at Blackstoun Farm included a Merlin, 16 Twite, 21 Bramblings and still 400 Skylarks.
Still six Bramblings in a Hollows Avenue, Foxbar garden.
A Jay in Linn Park, Glasgow.
Monday
5 February 2018
At low tide, three adult Mediterranean Gulls in Lunderston Bay.
At low tide, three adult Mediterranean Gulls in Lunderston Bay.
Sunday 4 February 2018
A 2nd/3rd-winter Iceland Gull with three Mediterranean Gulls amongst over 6,000 gulls in Lunderston Bay at low tide.
A 2nd/3rd-winter Iceland Gull with three Mediterranean Gulls amongst over 6,000 gulls in Lunderston Bay at low tide.
At Roughrigg Reservoir gull
roost, an adult Ring-billed
Gull, two 1st-winter Iceland
Gulls, one very pale and the other with characteristics of
Kumlien's Gull and a probable hybrid Glaucous/Herring Gull.
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