Monday, December 31, 2007
Starling
1st winter Starling, Aldreth, December 2007, © Simon Stirrup
Even young Starlings can look stunning at times.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Yellow-legged Gull
2CY Yellow-legged Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 22nd December 2007, © Dick Newell
Dark grey back, very long wings and fierce expression makes this bird easy to pick out.
Caspian Gull
Adult Caspian Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 22nd December 2007, © Dick Newell
This bird is pretty good in most respects, except that it has rather thick, bright pink legs, and it's wings are not quite as long as one would expect. Also the white tongue on the inner web of P10 does not hug the shaft as much as it should, so maybe it has mixed ancestry.
Caspian Gull
2CY Caspian Gull, Landbeach A10, 22nd December 2007, © Dick Newell
The distinctive head and bill-shape is the main giveaway here. It is well advanced in its covert moult.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Caspian Gull
2CY Caspian Gull, Cottenham Long Drove, 20th December 2007 © Dick Newell
Easily overlooked as a Yellow-legged Gull at this age, this was one of two 2CY's present. The distinguishing features include the long wings, long tibia, pale tips to both median and greater coverts, shadow line along nape-crown boundary and relatively slender bill (RGN).
Friday, December 14, 2007
Grey Heron
Grey Heron, Paxton Pits, 14th December 2007, © Jamie Wells
A beautiful shot. The neat black belly band is a strange feature to see on a Grey Heron. Explanations are welcome.