Colour Ring-billed Gull

After multiple misread gull rings at Alnwickhill over the last year I was delighted to find that the nearest adult Ring-billed Gull on Marconi Beach in Cape Cod in July was sporting a fine piece of bling. Well I'll be gol darned if its not mighty close enough to read and captured on camera n'all - things are just so much easier stateside it seems.

It turns out that this Ring-billed Gull was ringed at the Ile Dirette, Laval, near Montral in Quebec in June 2010 as an adult and is a male. 

Here are some more adult Ring-billed Gulls loafing on the sands. Great birds in my opinion, but not a feeling shared by everyone - I think that one of the motivations behind the colour ring studies in Canada is to try to understand this species behaviour better in order to reduce the conflict between the Ring-billed Gull and residents of cities such as Montreal...

First-summer (2CY) Ring-billed Gulls, Cape Cod, MA

Continuing with Ring-billed Gulls, these second calendar year birds are of an age that, in theory at least, is a little more likely to be seen here on the East coast of Scotland than yesterday's juveniles. Again two individuals were present on Marconi Beach, foraging at the end of the day for scraps dropped by tourists taking advantage of July's heatwave.

Juvenile Ring-billed Gulls

One of the benefits of travel for a birder is that even the most common birds seem twice as interesting as those back home. If they happen to be gulls then even more-so for me. Consequently I have several times more images than I probably need of these two juvenile Ring-billed Gulls photographed on 13 July at Marconi beach on Cape Cod. These were the only two juvs that I saw; the species does not breed in the area so these two had dispersed from a breeding colony further north or west.

Of the two, you will notice that the one above is more strongly marked all over, with lots of dark smudgy marks on the tail and body. The other bird (below) more closely resembles a young Common Gull and could easily slip by without being noticed this side of the Atlantic. The wing on the Ring-bill is broader, particularly at the secondaries, there are some heavier anchor-like markings on the tips of the greater coverts, the bill shape is a little heavier with a more pronounced gonys, and the mantle seems a bit more coarsely patterned but all-in-all quite a subtle identification.

Waving not drowning

Thought I'd post this pic from our summer holiday in New York and Cape Cod. This shot was obviously taken on a whale watching trip from the latter location. A magnificent close encounter with a breaching Humpback was certainly a wildlife highlight to remember - and experienced by all the family as well, which was a real bonus.

Like the whale I am surfacing briefly for air after quite some time submerged... I hope to start posting more regularly again. Probably a drip feed of a few shots from the US to get started again...

Fulmars at Skara Brae

This pair of Fulmars has taken up residence on Skara Brae, Orkney. Hopefully visitors will be informed about their oil-spitting antics before approaching too closely for photos...

Wryneck a-Hoy!

Not sure quite how, but this Wryneck was a Scottish first for me - a nice self-find last week at Rackwick, Hoy, Orkney while on a trip with work. A Red-backed Shrike at Scatness, Shetland, the following day was also a Scottish tick. So despite years of flogging along the Lothian coast I can bump into a couple of decent migrants without even trying on the Northern Isles. Just wished I'd connected with the male Rustic Bunting at Sumburgh the following day... Ah well, just have to find one locally!

Merlins in flight

Some grab shots of a couple of different Merlins in flight. These falcons are not easy to photograph as they tend to disappear so quickly. I like the shot above, despite its lack of focus and poor exposure, as for me it captures the essence of the species as it dashes over open habitat.

Whimbrel at Spike Island, Tyninghame

Well, I am not sure that I got the exposure quite right on this one... still not really used to the new lens. On the other hand, this shot does evoke that lovely call of the Whimbrel - a real sign that it is migration time along the Lothian coast.

Not quite what I hoped

The weather has conspired to ensure the weekend has been about as migrant-free as possible in Lothian, which is slightly galling after reports all week of interesting birds along the coast. A family day out included exciting close-up views of Red Grouse and Grey Partridge right next to car in Johnscleugh as well as a stunning aerial display from the territorial Lapwing. Before heading into Borders I had hoped to tick off a Ring Ouzel at Faseny to make up for last week's miss. An extraordinarily intense hail and snow shower put paid to that idea. The rest of the day was very pleasant - exploring Duns, Coldingham and St Abb's. Plenty of seabirds around but I had hoped to combine family fun with, maybe, a Wryneck, or at least a smattering of migrant chats and warblers. Not a sausage.

Yesterday, here's something that could have got the pulse going, but it was clearly a Common Buzzard with a dodgy tail from the beginning. Sadly...

Here is what I wish it had been! Black Kite photographed in the south of France last summer.

Corn Bunting, North Uist

Just a shot of the only Corn Bunting that I saw in the Western Isles this year. A male (presumably!) singing at Balranald RSPB right next to the footpath to the beach. Sadly, given its declining numbers, I guess it might not be long until this is no longer a breeding species in Scotland. On the other hand, I heard a Nuthatch again in the Hermitage on my way to work this morning, something that has only been possible for the last couple of years.