Little Gull

As I write this I am listening to yet another named storm thrashing against my front room window.  Even I am getting a bit bored with them now!

I've got so many things to blog about as have done well over the last week with several year ticks, some nice patch highlights and some decent bird numbers, however this next bird quite simply deserves its own post, so it's getting it...

South easterly winds in winter, well at many times of the year really, can be just the trick to bring some Little Gulls close inshore along the south coast. However, birding here I am very used to missing out on them, even if there has been an arrival or passage - we just don't seem to do well for them and almost always miss out.  

Sure enough, along the coast Little Gulls were being reported from the middle of last week, and sure enough, despite all my watches over the sea and checks of the Estuary and marshes, not a sniff for me.  It certainly wasn't down to a lack of trying, or a lack of gulls...

Looking towards Seaton from Seaton Hole on Saturday

This flock were feeding in the bay for several days

 

Although I did concentrate my efforts of this mega flock, Little Gulls have a sneaky habitat of suddenly appearing (and then disappearing) in the valley, whether it be on the marshes, on a small puddle somewhere, or on the Estuary amongst pre-roosting Black-headed Gulls.  So I tried my best to cover as much ground as I could.

To be truthful I was losing hope and had the feeling of 'not again' come over me - especially as several sites along the south coast were hosting multiple birds (double-figures at Teignmouth on one day!).  But literally on my last scan through this mega flock before work on Sunday morning, whilst I was cowering behind what little shelter Spot On was offering me during a heavy downpour, these dark underwings appeared in the distant murk...

Just left of centre

 

I was absolutely made up - an adult Little Gull! I had just another time to grab the above shot before having to head off to the office, which was at least a dry place to go! 

Whilst at work I was pleased to read many of the local birders had managed to catch up with it too, and when it got to lunchtime I thought I would try for it again. By this time (early afternoon) the weather had settled down considerable, and as a result the vast majority of gulls had dispersed.  However of the ones that were still present, one of them (and the closest one!) was the Little Gull...

Quite a lot closer than earlier!

 

I spent the next ten minutes completely mesmerised by this absolute beaut, feeding over the breaking waves at times less than 10 meters in front of me.  So delicate, elegant and at the same time looking almost vunerable.  A real treat.

I took so many photos, and can't help but post a whole load of them here.  Bird of the year so far for me, even if it isn't really that rare...

Those white wing-tips are the pureset of whites

Such a graceful and elegant bird

  

About to drop down on to the surface

Little Gull incoming

  

Such contrast between the white bits and the dark underwings

 

It really does have a needle-fine bill, adding to its diminutive look

 

Could this be the best gull in the world?  Maybe not, but it's not far behind

Yes I am looking at you - love the wave action behind the bird on this pic

The last one.  What a star performer.

Sorry for over indulging in Little Gull, literally couldn't help it.  It was still present today, and with this storm hammering down now I think there is every chance it will still be around tomorrow. 

 

And I still have so much to write about the last few days, so do check back soon to read about everything else.

 

Finally, I just want to say a massive thank you for all the kind comments and feedback to my Lesser Whitethroat post, am so pleased it has gone down so well and been as appreciated as it has. Thank you.