Monday 29th February: Caspian Gull

Another good visit to Port Meadow this evening. Still plenty of waders about with now 4 RUFF, the 3 OYSTERCATCHERS, the2 RINGED PLOVER and at least 3 REDSHANK, as well as about 150 Golden Plover all present. On the duck front there were 7 PINTAIL and 2 SHELDUCK in amongst the usual Wigeon and Teal.

The highlight of the visit though were a couple of very educational gulls. The first was a tricky trap for the unwary. To my credit I wasn't convinced that it was a Caspian Gull and this turned out to be correct as it's actually a dark-eyed 3w Herring Gull (video here).

Herring Gull (probably argenteus) impersonating a Caspian

The second was a distinctive, long-winged 2w gull which I thought was probably a rather strange looking Yellow-legged Gull though it actually turned out to be a comparatively scruffy and dark-mantled CASPIAN GULL after all (video here).

...and a Caspian Gull impersonating a Yellow-legged Gull
Thanks to Ian Lewington for the ID confirmations/corrections.

Also to report, Steve Goddard heard a TAWNY OWL calling outside his home in Wolvercote this evening - another year tick.

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