I fancied another fix of Gulls, so off went Andy and I to Stubber's Green in the West Midlands.
Two adult Yellow-Legged Gulls were around, in amongst a mind-bending selection of juvenile and immature-plumaged gulls. I'm sure all were Lesser Black-Backeds, although this one on the right looks a bit paler:
The beauty of Stubber's Green is the amount of detail you can pick up, as you can get such close views. For example, I've never really noticed how quite a square-shaped head the Yellow-Legged Gulls had, until now. I've also never really noticed one of these before:
It's a Lesser Black-Back of the "Intermedius" race, which at this time of year should be in Norway or Denmark. A much darker grey than on our LBBG's, reminiscent of Great Black-Back. News of sightings from Stubber's Green are featured regularly on the excellent Chasewater Wildlife Group website.
Sunday 2nd August.
A little bit of a tour of a few spots, starting at Branston Gravel Pits. Where Little Egrets started popping out all over the Newbold Quarry pit. Starting with one, then three, then five, ending at six birds! Also around were 2 Black-Tailed Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and 16 Shelduck.
A quick check of the causeway at Blithfield produced the rather depressing sight of absolutely no muddy shoreline. The heavy rain over the last couple of weeks has taken it's toll.
Ending at Uttoxeter Quarry, where there was 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 3 Oystercatcher and a Yellow Wagtail.
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