Visited today with Messrs Rigby and Rayner, early afternoon.

Ring-billed Gull present this time and showing well, in the company of C 150 Black-headed and 25-30 Common Gulls. interesting trying to grade the colour of its' mantle against those of the other gulls, especially given the variation shown by the Common Gulls.

Made a nice third in our 'ringed' set with the Lancashire pair of Ring-necked Duck & Ring-necked Parakeet sort of 'Three Ring Circuit' (I'll get me coat!)

Pete Welch wrote:

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Had a trip out today and first call was Mirfield where I spent an hour between the gravel pits and the weir until I eventually picked out the long staying Ring Billed Gull at the weir. After scanning tens of Commons in the area it was startling when I got onto the right bird with the light iris and the clearly defined ring on the bill.

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Agreed Pete, nice bird and Thanks for the exact directions. Very distinct in flight too.

18/01/2011 - Ring-billed Gull ad.w. still present today at Sands Lane Gravel Pits, on the south side of the River Calder near Mirfield. It showed well on the island amongst Common and Black-headed Gulls. Also seen here were 4 Greylag Geese and a drake Goosander.

Had a trip out today and first call was Mirfield where I spent an hour between the gravel pits and the weir until I eventually picked out the long staying Ring Billed Gull at the weir. After scanning tens of Commons in the area it was startling when I got onto the right bird with the light iris and the clearly defined ring on the bill.