Thursday, 5 April 2018

Beddington Farm - White Wingers Galore!


Gull numbers are decreasing as adult birds make their way to breeding grounds. With the onset of spring it was probably going to be the last chance to see any of the larger white wingers that have been present over the last few weeks.

This morning as if on cue three cars pulled into the car park and the crew of Devilbirder (DB), Dodge and myself emerged and made our way through the park to the gate in the SW corner of the south lake. This corner can be very productive for park birds that utilize the cluster of trees that are beginning of the Farms recording area. DB heard a Treecreeper calling by the kissing gate. The bird was joined by a second and they both flew into the trees along the W side of the Farm. This was a Farm tick for DB and a brief celebration ensued.

DB was on form finding the first Sedge Warbler of the year and the 2cy Iceland Gull on the North Lake. Dodge and I were near the hide and could not see it from our position. DB departed and Tomas called in on his twice daily round, then Dodge and I got comfortable for the glorious sunny day ahead,
Buzzards performed magnificently in the skies above with nine birds seen at one time over the lake. This sent the gulls into total chaos which would make life very difficult to pick out our intended quarry Osprey should one pass over the airspace. On the flip side this regularly mixed up the gulls and it was not long before the beast of a Glaucous Gull was spied heading towards the incinerator. The bird was to return later on to wash up on the lake.
Another returnee was the Iceland Gull which picked a nice spot on the cleared islands to bask in the sun.
Overall not a bad days birding with a Mediterranean Gull seen yesterday, completing the set. Hopefully there will be a passage of these birds later on in the month.
Back to the Farm tomorrow to cover the N end of the site!

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