Wednesday 22 February 2012

Ross Beach

Had an adult and first-winter Iceland Gull at Clifden Quay while jogging by this afternoon (back joggin again after a five month break, gonna feel it tomorrow!). By the time I arrived back again an hour later with the gear the first-winter had gone but the adult still remained. He was the only large gull present who showed zero interest in the bread.

 Adult Iceland Gull, Clifden.

 Adult Iceland Gull, Clifden.

Decided to check Ross beach as I haven't done so in about a week.Was happy to see a few white-wingers out on the fish farm. Tried throwing out a few slices of Aldi's finest. Once the first gull noticed the bread in the water every gull within sight piled in immediately. Over the next hour I had a good total of a second-winter Glaucous, three first-winter and three second-winter Icelands and best of all two third-winter Kumlien's. These are only Kumlien's number two and three for Galway this winter. Bird number one had a dark tail with a pale centre. Bird number two had the opposite pattern - unmarked outer tail feathers with some mottling in the centre. Also had a second-winter white-winger that had me scratching my head for a while. It was either between a bleached male Iceland or a female Glaucous but I favoured the latter option in the end. 

 Kumlien's on the left with a second-winter Glaucous, one first and two second-winter Icelands.

 One and a half third-winter Kumlien's Gulls.

 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull, bird no. 1.

 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull, bird no. 1.
 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull, bird no. 1.


 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull, bird no. 2.


 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull, bird no. 2.


 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull bird no. 2.

 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull bird no. 2.

 Third-winter Kumlien's Gull bird no. 2.

 Second-winter Iceland Gull

Second-winter Glaucous Gull

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