Thursday 29 August 2013

Gulls at Greenhythe and Dungeness, Kent 26/8/2013

A bit of a dull start to the day, with grey cloud, forecast to get better as the day goes on !

We start the day at Greenhythe, to have a look at the Gulls !

Common Gull, 2nd winter


Common Gull, adult winter


Mediterranean Gull, 1st winter    PTP2


Mediterranean Gull, 1st winter    PTP2


Lesser Black-backed Gull



We were heading next to Elmley, 
a Wryneck is reported seen at Leysdown, 
Over the new bridge instead of the old bridge and we are at Leysdown to spend the next couple of hours doing the ''looking for a Wryneck in a bush'' lark !

No sign of the Wryneck, it's now nice blue sky !
meet up and good chat with Stewart and Gillingham Jim 

a good view of a Garden Warbler was the highlight here for me, 1st this year !


Lunch at Leysdown ! Then off to Dungeness for more Gulls

Blue sky, easterly wind, and

Gulls !    ''Big Gulls''

Once again I am having trouble identifying what I am seeing and what I am photographing !

The afternoon went like this !

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile


Greater Black-backed Gull, adult winter

Greater Black-backed Gull, 3rd winter


Herring Gull, juvenile


Herring Gull, adult winter








Common Tern


Herring Gull, juvenile

Herring Gull, juvenile


Now my ID problem kicks in !

The next 12 Images of ''Big Gulls'' !   What are they off ?


Herring Gull, juvenile


Herring Gull, juvenile


Herring Gull, juvenile



Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 1)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 1)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 1)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 2)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 2)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 2)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 2)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 3)


Lesser Black-backed Gull, juvenile  (bird 2)

NOT EASY !

I have given Mick my ID answers (but would not dare publish them) !  
a sort of personal test !
     
My results and correct ID will only be added when confirmed by Mick !  (all to save my embarrassment ! )

Dare you enter the Competition Mr. JL ?  

My ID score was 3/12, the first 3 HG correct, the remainder WRONG !

Must do better !   


Wednesday 21 August 2013

Caspian Gull, juvenile, Dungeness, Kent, 18/8/2013

Another afternoon by the fishing boats at Dungeness, blue sky and a decent SW wind.

Another ''M.S. Gull workshop'

Perfect conditions to photograph the Gulls but a challenge to find / identify the juvenile
Yellow-legged Gull ! and again we are hoping the Little Gull may be about !

My afternoon went like this !


Herring Gull



I had been looking at this next Gull suspecting it to be a Yellow-legged, No !

Caspian Gull, juvenile


Herring Gull





 
 
it's now low tide, so I take a wander out onto the beach
 

Great Black-backed Gull



Caspian Gull, juvenile                    



Herring Gull







Great Black-backed Gull





Herring Gull







Great Black-backed Gull






Back with Mick at the fishing boats

Herring Gull







Caspian Gull, juvenile
 
 













Herring Gull















CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


CASPIAN GULL, juvenile


A superb day out ! !


Very confusing !  rather difficult, and a lot to learn !
 






Y