My reply to Matt was that I hadn't seen any at Liden Lagoon this winter, but that was soon to change when I arrived around 1:00pm; for there on the rocks stood an adult, preening itself. However that one, suddenly became 14, as more flew in as I was photographing a 1st winter Herring Gull. What an incredible sight it was, to suddenly see all these Common Gulls in front of me, especially when I've probably only ever seen 4 or 5 at together at any one time previous to this.
Just a few of the Common Gulls that arrived together on the pool. Most birds in this shot are adult winter, in the centre is a 2nd winter and just in front of it and also top right, these two adults which have whiter heads, these are also adult winter. All I can say is there is wide variation in appearance for all ages of gulls, but when adults vary as well, it does make it interesting.
A pair of adult Herring Gull, with yet again one bird (on the right) having a much cleaner and whiter head and neck, whereas its mate has fine flecks running across the head and down its neck.
I originally had this Herring Gull down as a 1st winter and then I noticed the grey mantle (the grey patch on its back) which would indicate that this a 2nd year bird. However even this isn't always the case and in some 1st winter birds there can be a grey mantle. So conclusion, this is a 1st winter.
An adult Great Crested Grebe showing early signs of moulting into summer plumage.
Adult winter Common Gull having a bit of a stretch
What he probably wasn't expecting were 13 more of his clan taking over his pool.
Here 12 of the birds line up in front of the north island.
1st winter Herring Gull.
Having got over the excitement of so many gulls and variants it was time to check out other birds at the lagoon. A Great Crested Grebe was new in and no doubt a mate will be along soon. I did have a quick look at the nest and it's looking quite larger, much larger than last year. Possibility is that a Coot has taken it over!
The resident pen Mute Swan and her 3 juveniles are still present, though for how much longer remains to be seen, as the pair that arrived before Christmas seemed determined to chase them off the water. However the new cob is going to have huge task, as there is also another cob at the north end of the lagoon. Should be interesting to see what the outcome of this is going to be!
This is the new pair of Mute Swans that have been at the Lagoon from just before Christmas.
Other interests were the good number of Tufted Duck present, of which for once this winter I could actually distinguish the drakes from the ducks. 1st winter drakes before they moult I find are extremely difficult to sex. However today there were clearly 29 males and 10 females at least. Well it's still difficult to count them accurately when they keep diving down.
The Canada Geese are back in numbers with at least 38 counted, At least 36 were on the bank and over the hill, so an exact count wasn't possible.
The main highlight of non water birds were a Chiffchaff calling from the woods and the dozen or so House Sparrows by the car park. Every time I visit the lagoon I get out of my car and its straight off and around the water. Today I got out of the car and actually watched them for a change. Its amazing what you see and learn. For starters there were a about a dozen birds, but very few females. And what males there were, were mainly last years youngsters. Sometimes it really pays to stop and look, especially when numbers are falling so dramatically.
Male House Sparrows
Male House Sparrows
1st winter male House Sparrow in foreground
Birds Recorded: 1 Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan (A pair, The resident Pen with her 3 juveniles and another adult cob), 38+ Canada Goose, 50+ Mallard, 29 Tufted Duck (19m, 10f), 14 Moorhen, 8 Coot, 51 Black-headed Gull, 4 Herring Gull (2 adult, 1st winter and 2nd winter), 14 Common Gull (12 adult and 2 2nd winter), Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, 2 Jackdaw, 12 House Sparrow, Chaffinch and 4 Goldfinch.