Fulmars and Gulls at Hunstanton

Our last day in Norfolk brought beautiful weather and the Fulmars on the cliffs were well illuminated including a fluffy chick.We arrived at Hunstanton a couple of hours after High Tide (and a very high one too) so the various gulls and waders were coming back to the shoreline to feed as the waters receded. Here Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gull and Common Gull.

Black-Headed Gulls Paxton Pits

We went to Paxton Pits yesterday hoping for a variety of flying birds to practise flight shots but the BH Gulls were very much the dominant species dipping to catch small invertebrates on the surface of the water. I didn't use quite fast enough shutterspeed for these fast flyers (1/1600th here ).

 

Birds in High Winds at Mistley Essex

I called in at Mistley to see what birds were managing to weather the storm and had a great hour watching and photographing the various species battling against the very strong winds. More images to follow of Black-tailed Godwits as they were the definite stars of the afternoon. Also enjoyed Shelduck, Pintail and Black-Headed Gulls feeding and preening. Thanks to Manningtree club for a warm welcome and especially Jenny for hosting me for the night.

Coot and Gull Behaviour in Changeable Weather

After all the recent bright sunny weather, yesterday saw a change and so my visit to St Albans to photograph Coots had intervals of sunshine, heavy cloud and even some rain at the end of the morning. In the duller conditions, it was impossible to portray the Coot's red eye. The Coots were fairly active with lots of chasing but only one fight and that during a rainstorm. There were lots of Black-Headed Gulls in the process of moulting from winter to summer plumage and often displaying their kleptoparasitc behaviour  towards the Coots waiting around to pinch any food that they brought up from the bottom. The gulls eat different food from the coots – gulls are carnivorous generally etc whereas the coots are mostly vegetarian,  so, presumably, the gulls aren’t actually stealing food the other birds would eat themselves.

 

 

 

Birds on West Kirby Marine Lake

On Wednesday morning, we visited West Kirby in bright clear sunlight and were entertained by  Brent Geese, several cormorants and many Gulls on the Marine Lake. The patterns of the reflections and the Brent's plumage kept me entertained for a long while.