Iceland Gull and Yellow-legged Gull - Swanshurst Park, Moseley

Really has been a fantastic month not only with the Waxwings round the corner from Swanshurst but also with the Iceland on Swanshurst and an added bonus with a Yellow-legged Gull :)
The Iceland Gull is still present as I write this, he has been there now about five weeks amazing to have such a stunning Gull locally, I have made quite a few visits can't resist him, Dave also came to see him but he gave us quite a wait and the weather was very dull but he came in giving nice views for Dave and he got some record shots but I still think there better than record shots lol
I have really struggled with this bird it's either to dull or to bright, strangely the Iceland Gull seems to love the sun he stays there more regular in the nicer weather but is always right in the sunlight which is very difficult with a white bird lol
After having just a fly by on one visit and no show on a couple of occasions the last time I went he spent the whole morning there again enjoying the sun rays, but I was very lucky that he flew on the fields and landed I quickly rushed round there the Iceland Gull seems quite relaxed with people but I knew if the other Gulls flew he would follow, so I took my time just taking small steps to get close then sat down took a few photos then shuffled to gradually get closer was totally worth the effort as I got my best shot so far, lighting still too bright but much better than on the water I was over the moon, love this Gull :) When he fly's it's like a ghost flying by, beautiful.

Also there was 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull which caused some controversy with people reporting it as a Caspian Gull but it really did not stand out as being a Caspian but there was lot's of people adamant that it was Caspian. Dave sent me on a mission to get a photo of the underwing this was easier said than done lol Took me over three hours but I got there in the end lol and the Underwing helped to confirm Yellow-legged Gull as it is two toned wheareas if it was Caspian it would be more completely white/lighter.

Tim Marlow goes into this in much detail and all the other differences in his blog he writes it so clear and easy to understand http://www.rainsbrooknaturalhistory.com/park-life/

Iceland Gull and Yellow-legged Gull, Swanshurst Park,Moseley

With news coming through last week of an Iceland Gull at Swanshurst Park which is just around the corner from Trittiford. I decided to head over there on Wednesday afternoon I had been putting it off because didn't feel right going without Dave but he told me not to be silly and go for it.
Think I picked the worst day with lighting as dull as dishwater, but as soon as I got there the Iceland Gull was there really is so striking he was over the other side of the pool and the other birders didn't seem to want to try and get closer but a nice birder let me look through his scope which was lovely and he did come a little closer when he landed on the fields, I was just so happy to see him I love my gulls and so nice to have an Iceland Gull near by and I had nice prolonged views for an hour before it flew off high, hopefully if the weather picks up this weekend Me and Dave will go for it :)
An added bonus was a Yellow-legged Gull, which had been reported as a Caspian but Dave said as soon as he looked at a photo of it that it looks like Yellow-legged Gull and then that was confirmed but the Gull ID page on facebook :)

Juvenile Iceland Gull

Juvenile Iceland Gull

1st Winter Yellow-legged Gull

Black Grouse and Iceland Gull - North Wales

Early morning start to get to Worlds end, north wales before first light for the Black Grouse, got there just in time the Black Grouse were showing as soon as we got there, I can't even explain the feeling watching them just out of this world to watch them display to each other, they look like there dancing with fancy dresses on when there tails are out you can see the white and look's like a pom pom.
Wonderful birds, the light was bad so photos didn't come out good, was abit frustrating because they were quite close, but i'm so happy to just see them, and to off been there, and have all the wonderful images in my head. Also some stunning scenery love wales :)

We then headed to Pensarn Beach, North Wales for the Iceland Gull, again as soon as we turned up parked car, and there it was, beautiful looking Gull so white and the pattern on wings looks goldy color, was so nice to be able to see with my own eyes and take lot's of photos, after 2 hours on the beach I was freezing but stuck it out because I have to get use to the weather's this winter hasn't even been that bad sure we will have worse to come so need to get use to it :) 

The whole weekend had been perfect and totally worth the cold and winds, I feel so lucky and honoured to be seeing so many beautiful birds and all my thank's goes to Dave, he is the best boyfriend anyone could wish for and an excellent Birdwatcher and photographer. I'm a very lucky girl :)