We have been having a very good run of Caspian Gulls through the reserve at the moment with at least seven or so individuals being seen out on Wennington Marsh or the back of Purfleet Scrape. The former during the day and the latter of a late afternoon.
One of the immatures was colour ringed first winter bird (Yellow PNEL)
As we suspected it was a Polish bird and had been ringed as a pullus on 24th May 2013 at Paczkow, Opolskie, Poland by Jacek Betleja & Jakub Szymczak. It was then seen in Cley, Norfolk in October and November 2013 by Mark Golley before Andy Tweed found it here on the 17th January. I saw it again on the 22nd before Mick Southcott saw it just across the river at Crayford on the 26th.
PNEL - Andy Tweed
And a shot from his stay at Cley in October by Mark Golley.... as you can see...quite a brute...
And check out Mick's blog for som estunning images and a link to Martin Garner's piece on this widely travelled bird.
Good gulling!
2-2-14
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer