I was on my down to Castletownbere two weeks ago to see the Glaucous-winged Gull along with Michael Davis and Cathal Forkan. Unfortunately my car gave out near Ennis so that was the end of that twitch. Fast forward two weeks later to last Saturday and I picked up the car in Ennis and completed the journey. Thankfully the Glaucous-winged had remained in place the whole time. I had considered travelling over for the Vega Gull in Wexford afterwards but news had been negative for a few days unfortunately so I didn't bother.
I arrived down at Castletownbere late in the day on Saturday and thankfully the GWG was easily found in amongst small numbers of gulls on the town side of the harbour. It spent most of its time sat out on a small rock facing me the whole time so the views weren't of much use although it did briefly take to the air and do one or two fly-bys. It took no interest in a loaf of bread that I had throw out to entice it closer. I stayed in the town that night in the hope of better views in the morning.
I rose to rain the next morning which didn't let up until the evening which made photography a bit of a challenge. Most of the shots below are rather dark and will high ISO levels. It was much more interested in the bread this time around. Although I can't say too much on the bird before we (the Irish Rare Bird Committee) assess the bird, it isn't what I would call a classic Glaucous-winged Gull structure-wise. The eyes look rather large, the bill was long but wasn't very heavy and at best it certainly didn't dwarf any Herring Gull present. Saying that though most of the plumage features do match the species although the upperparts did look quite dark in dull conditions.
Also present were an adult Ring-billed Gull and first-winter & adult Mediterranean Gull. The GWG spent nearly all of its time on the town side of harbour but I did have it sitting up on one of the large shed/fish factory roofs on Dinish Island later.
I arrived down at Castletownbere late in the day on Saturday and thankfully the GWG was easily found in amongst small numbers of gulls on the town side of the harbour. It spent most of its time sat out on a small rock facing me the whole time so the views weren't of much use although it did briefly take to the air and do one or two fly-bys. It took no interest in a loaf of bread that I had throw out to entice it closer. I stayed in the town that night in the hope of better views in the morning.
I rose to rain the next morning which didn't let up until the evening which made photography a bit of a challenge. Most of the shots below are rather dark and will high ISO levels. It was much more interested in the bread this time around. Although I can't say too much on the bird before we (the Irish Rare Bird Committee) assess the bird, it isn't what I would call a classic Glaucous-winged Gull structure-wise. The eyes look rather large, the bill was long but wasn't very heavy and at best it certainly didn't dwarf any Herring Gull present. Saying that though most of the plumage features do match the species although the upperparts did look quite dark in dull conditions.
Also present were an adult Ring-billed Gull and first-winter & adult Mediterranean Gull. The GWG spent nearly all of its time on the town side of harbour but I did have it sitting up on one of the large shed/fish factory roofs on Dinish Island later.
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Glaucous-winged Gull |
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| Adult Ring-billed Gull |
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| Adult Ring-billed Gull |
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| First-winter Mediterranean Gull |
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| First-winter Mediterranean Gull |
Very nice, Dermot!
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