Fri 29th Dec

First chance Ive had since Boxing Day to see whats around, and I have to say it was a productive visit even though it was late afternoon in fading light.

- 1st winter Caspian Gull X3EU
Picked it up in flight and as luck would have it, it landed on the 384 roof. Looks to be German ringed and probably from a mixed colony with HG, YLG, & LBb.
- c30+ adult Great Black-backed Gulls
Including Norwegian ringed adult JX313

I think its just a Herring Gull, not enough on it to be anything else I dont think.

Fri 22nd Dec

- 20+ ad Great Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Common Gulls chasing Black-headed
- c40 Redwings (with a few Fieldfare) over

Reply from Mike Jackson regarding Herring Gull 7X5L from 27th November.
It is actually 7X5B

Ringed 21.08.15 Rufforth Waste Disposal, York
Sighted 15.08.18 Scaling Dam, North Yorkshire
Not seen in over 5 years

Mon 18th Dec

- 1st winter Caspian Gull early afternoon

Fri 15th Dec
Afternoon visit on way back from Liverpool.

- probable adult Yellow-legged Gull
If Im incorrect with the ID then I will amend the post no problem. Probably not the best of examples I will say that, but seemed to show some decent features that would lend themselves to this species.

- adult Caspian Gull possibly same bird as this morning.

Tues 12th Dec

2w Caspian Gull reported early afternoon but no sign when I arrived on my way back from working in Liverpool.

However a few bits of interest.
- Herring Gull 159:C Irish orange ring (and Monday)
- Herring Gull N:14L probable Bowland, Lancs bird
- min 9 Argentatus Herring Gulls
- 2 Grey Wagtails

Rob Creek wrote:

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Mon 4th Dec

- Herring Gull N:26E a year to the day since I last saw it here.

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Confirmation email today that it hasnt been seen since 12 months ago here, or at least hasnt been reported if sighted.

Reply from Steve & Kane for Black-headed Gull 224E

- Ringed 27th January 2022 Sefton Park
- seen September & October 2022 Germany
- seen 7th October 2023 Germany

Fri 1st Dec

- Black-headed Gull 224E
Looks to be one of Steve Christmas/ Kane Brides birds.


-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of December 2023 10:00:39 PM

Mon 27th Nov
Forgot I had some ringed stuff too.

- Herring Gull 159:C orange
- Herring Gull N:05M Green
- Herring Gull 7X5L Yellow

The last one may need clarification on the ring code.

Sun 26th Nov

- 1st w Caspian Gull on rubbish mound in yard Sunday afternoon. Stayed for about 5 minutes then flew off.
- 8 Argentatus Herring Gulls
- 1st w Gull Im unsure of as yet well see

Tues 21st Nov

- 1st w Herring or Lesser Black-backed Gull (prob LBb) sat at the side of the road mid-afternoon. I put my work gloves on and put it on the grass inside the 384 grounds. I was thinking maybe clipped by a car and was just dazed. It didnt half pack a nip whilst handling it, very strong bill grip around my fingers.

I went back to work then called back later, it was still there. Phoned RSPCA - no answer. Phoned at least 4 different numbers for animal shelters - no answer. I sent one a text asking if they come out to wild birds. I got a text back lunchtime next day (Weds) saying phone the main RSPCA control centre. I explained I had already done that but received another text late afternoon saying they were very busy.

It couldve been an injury not readily seen, or it couldve been diseased so I had to leave it. The Gull inevitably perished overnight, before I even got a response from the RSPCA , its corpse is still there.


-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 26th of November 2023 09:49:15 PM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 26th of November 2023 09:49:44 PM

Sun 12th Nov
- 4 Common Gulls around the yard
- Yellow legged Herring Gull
- 5 Argentatus Herring Gulls


Fri 17th Nov
- c230 Pink-footed Geese high E over Redgate Lane
- Yellow legged Herring Gull again
- Jay over the yard


-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 19th of November 2023 09:55:25 AM

Fri 10th Nov

- Yellow legged Herring Gull present again this afternoon.
Same individual as Weds & Fri

Fri 3rd Nov
- 5 ad Argentatus Herring Gulls
- 3 ad Great Black-backed Gulls
- 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Wagtail

Sat 4th Nov
- 6 ad Argentatus Herring Gulls
- 2 ad Great Black-backed Gulls
- 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Tues 24th Oct.
Afternoon visit on way back from Liverpool.

- 1st w Herring Gull 159:C again
- adult Herring Gull Y:685
- at least 4 Argentatus Herring Gulls

- and a possible shout for 1st w Yellow-legged Gull but by no means certain.
The security guard at 384 threw a load of bread out and it was Gull chaos as they are behind the railings, so viewing was difficult. The bird had orangey yellow legs which were quite noticeable.

Rob Creek wrote:

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Reply from Roisin Mary Kearney.

Lesser Black-backed Gull 159:C was ringed as a chick 01.07.23 at Copeland Bird Obs on Lighthouse Island, Co.Down, Northern Ireland.
This is the first re-sighting of it.

---

Received another email from Roisin.
This bird is actually a Herring Gull.

Reply from Roisin Mary Kearney.

Lesser Black-backed Gull 159:C was ringed as a chick 01.07.23 at Copeland Bird Obs on Lighthouse Island, Co.Down, Northern Ireland.
This is the first re-sighting of it.

Also this morning?

- probable 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull.
Certainly looks ok for this species and it will be submitted as usual, I think it is one.

Sat 14th Oct

- A very nice 3rd winter Caspian Gull this morning,

You could say it was showing rather well, on 384 roof and in the yard but was sometimes obscured by the sun. A cracking bird this one. I was in 2 minds at first whether it was a 2nd winter or 3rd winter but I think its a 3rd. If it needs altering then Ill gladly do so.


-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 14th of October 2023 01:54:57 PM

Mon 9th Oct

- N:85Y present again. Could well be a Herring Gull and not a Lesser Black-backed.


-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 9th of October 2023 09:17:50 PM

Today.

Thought I was seeing things for a moment this afternoon but Im pretty sure they were what they were.
- 6 Redwings towards the city centre and 2 larger trailing birds that looked like elongated Blackbirds, pretty sure they were Ring Ouzels, they were quite high up and camera wouldnt perform!

- possible 2CY Yellow-legged Gull again
- Lesser Black-backed Gull N:85Y again
- c6-700 Starling. Shouldve heard the noise in the yard.
- 1 Grey Wagtail & 1 Pied Wagtail

Tues 26th Sept (also Weds 27th and Thurs 28th)

- Norwegian ringed JL78C
I initially thought an odd Herring Gull, the data comes back as Herring Gull but there are features that better fit Lesser Black-backed.

Ringed 28.06.23 Soldaterholmen, Ulvøysund, Lillesand, Aust-Agder, Norway