The weekend- Gulling and PWC

Saturday was spent  on a Gull ID day led by Dave Astins. An early start saw us head to the Gann to check out the gulls. On the pool an Otter gave breif views and 6 Goldeneye, 20 Teal and a Greenshank were also present. Unfortunately becuase of the wind there was few gulls. Onto Sandy Haven where we had some shelter from the blasting gales but again very few gulls were present, 3 Redshank and a Little Egret were also around. The story stayed the same at Gelliswick but a smart Great Northern Diver close in kept hopes up. We stopped at Milford Docks for a bite to eat and to get close views of Herring Gulls, one adult of which had a blue coloured ring with yellow writing (MEZ) on its left leg. A probable Scandinavian (argentatus) Herring Gull gave brief views and good flight views allowing you to see the distinct primary pattern. The last stop of the day was Llys-y-fran to see the large gull roost that was gathering. I was pleased to pick out a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull. After more searching a further 7 more (total: 5 adults and 3 1st winters) were found but I missed one of the adults.

This afternoon I went to Tenby for some patchworking. The first bird of note was a Purple Sandpiper feeding in the company of 3 Turnstones on the ramp of the old lifeboat station.On South beach a group of 3 Sanderling were feeding on the shoreline and a group of 8 Ringed Plover and a further 2 Sanderling were on the rocks by Giltar Point. 2 Porpoises in Caldey sound was a pleasant surprise. back to Amroth for some evening seawatching. all the usual birds were present, Common Scoter 500+,  Great Crested Grebes c30 but only 2 Red-throated Divers. An unusual site was a large gull roost out in the bay (probably 800 birds). Predominately Black-headed, with several Herring and Great Black-backed and small numbers of Common Gulls and Kitttiwakes.

Purple Sandpiper

Sanderling