Sunday 22 January 2012

LBB Gulls

Not much to report of late -  the return of strong cold winds and some heavy rain showers has not helped. I dropped into Llyn Glasfryn the other day where a Goosander and a few Canada Geese were seen - not the most productive of visits!

A flying visit to Pwllheli harbour yesterday revealed a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus the usual mix of gulls, waders and wildfowl.

Although it's great to see the first Wheatears and hear the first Chiffchaffs in mid-March, I always think of LBB's as a species at the vanguard of spring migration - many start appearing from around February onwards. They are virtually absent from the peninsula during the winter with most of the local breeders migrating as far down as Iberia and NW Africa. Strangely enough if one ventures over to parts of N.E. Wales this species is more regular in winter - I've seen good numbers at places like Gresford Flash near Wrexham for example.

Low tide in Porth Neigwl today saw me checking the Rhiw end of the beach. A Stoat was again seen feeding amongst the boulder scree; nearby an adult Med' Gull was roosting with 246 Common', 30 Black-headed', 3 Great Black-back' and a handful of Herring Gulls.

Way offshore a feeding flock of 410+ Kittiwake was spread across the bay where the usual few Comrorant, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot were busy fishing.

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