Notable Recent Sightings

01/10 Glossy Ibis 1, photo'd by Osprey camera at Cors Dyfi
17/09 Grey Phalarope 1 juv, Red Ridge Centre, Cefn Coch, photo'd
29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Thursday, January 05, 2012

could it be a glaucous gull?

About 20 lesser black-backed gulls feeding in wet field on Wern this morning - and amongst them one gull which appeared to be totally white from a distance. When they suddenly took off, and circled for several minutes, it was easy to follow this gull, which was larger than the others and almost appeared to glisten in what little sun there was. Having checked the books, I'm wondering whether it could have been a glaucous gull - anyone any thoughts? We'll keep our eyes open for more sightings, as the water will no doubt lie on the fields for a few days yet!

3 comments:

  1. No reason why not, there has been a few turning up in Britain over the last month or so. Only other possibility would be a lucistic herring or great black-backed gull. Don't suppose you have grid ref for the field. Will try and get up that way tomorrow.

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  2. Thanks for that Paul. Grid ref is SJ21 245135. Hope you're lucky. It would be great to have it confirmed one way or another. We will try to keep an eye on things too.

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  3. No signs of any gulls this morning I'm afraid Paul. Take a walk around Wern most mornings so will be on the lookout

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