This lovely Bonaparte's Gull has been sighted on a boating lake about half hours drive from my home for the past few days . I deliberated whether to go to try to see it today as the weather has been awful,but as I'd never seen one before and thought I might not get the opportunity again,I decided to go. The lake is close to the sea/harbour and is used by lots of gulls for preening and bathing and they come and go between these sites throughout the day. A birder informed me that it had taken off 10 minutes before I got there, (just my luck),but after waiting a short time,in it came -such a pretty Gull,smaller than a BH Gull with a black bill and pink legs,I was able to ID it pretty easily
Bonaparte's Gull
it even obliged us and showed it's distinctive pink legs
and a few other birds from today- Lesser Black Backed Gull
Coot
and I think there might be a few more Moorhens soon!
and this afternoon I got the first sighting this winter of the female Sparrowhawk I get in my garden -she's a beauty and unlike the male will let me get very close with my camera
Best wishes,Jayne
See my Flickr photos here.
Wow, what a fantastic sighting Jayne, you'll have us all moving down to Cornwall at this rate lol It is such a beautiful looking Gull along with the female Sparrowhawk - a real beauty too. As for frisky Moorhens - well I guess spring is in the air lol Fab set of photos and such an interesting post, thanks.
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Regards, Hazel
Wow again, there's no end of great birds that you come up with, Jayne. It's a pretty looking gull and one I've never seen. Needless to say I had to look up how it got it's name and no it wasn't Emperor Napoleon but it was named after his nephew Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a French ornithologist. Sorry for being boring. LOL
Cracking shots of the other birds too especially your female Sprawk.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Thanks Bob and Hazel- I expect the storms have had something to do with the recent good sightings down here! Was great to see the Bonaparte's Gull,I couldn't see any difference in it's behaviour from it's UK cousins,it was very confiding and approaching people for food,lol!
Jayne
Thanks Tony -it's the first sighting in Cornwall for a few years. Not boring to know where it's name came from,very interesting actually. I always try look up information on any new species I see,it's fascinating to know where they come from and where they should be.
Fantastic Gull to see, Jayne. I'm more than a little jealous; I would love to see one. As Tony has said, you do come up with some great birds. I especially like the in flight shot, very nice indeed.
My bird photos HERE
@ Paul, you may not see a Bonaparte's Gull but you may be able to see THIS !! (assuming I'm talking to the Paul in Scotland lol )
I'd heard about a Whale in the Forth several weeks ago but not recently. I'm wondering if the photos were taken back then or if they are more recent. I'm working all week but I have a rare two days off this weekend so I'll keep my eyes peeled for any reports of a Whale. I had actually thought about heading out to Aberlady this weekend but the Forth estuary is huge and not an easy place to search for stuff, even as big as a Whale.!!
Paul A said:Forth estuary is huge and not an easy place to search for stuff, even as big as a Whale.!!
Good stuff Jayne. I'm glad it came back for you ... and that you could post the photos for us :)
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Nige Flickr
I'd never even heard of a Bonaparte's Gull Jayne so lovely to see your photos - a lovely looking gull too! Great set of photos as always.
See my Flickr photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/