Corking Casp

This absolutely stunning first-winter Caspian Gull was on the lower Axe Estuary for twenty minutes this morning, my fifth of 2026 but it showed a lot better than any of the previous four...

A very striking bird, with a mightily impressive bill and snow white head, neck and underparts and a tiny black eye.  Lovely solidly black tertials too.

When it perked up it showed a really domed head shape - more so than the average Casp. This made it look like an individual I had seen on social media recently - more about that below.

 

This Casp will take some beating!  

 

After posting a photo of this Casp on Bluesky, it wasn't long until I got a message from Jacob Wood who also thought he recognised this bird.  It's clearly the bird (or one of the birds) that has been hanging around Brixham Harbour for most of the last month, which is exciting...

Head shape, bill pattern and size, neck and flank streaking, greater coverts patterning and scapular moult all a perfect match from what I can see

 

A far less impressive gull that I've seen recently was this presumed 'cactus' (Caspian x Herring hybrid) on the Estuary last thing on 13th, the same night as I saw around 90 Med Gulls among the gull roost in Seaton Bay...

It's mostly a Herring Gull, but has more than a whiff of Caspian about it

 

It wasn't just plumage that had some Caspian traits - this is a very Caspian stance

 

Another gull that I've seen, well more accurately am still seeing, is a bird I first blogged about back on 27th January - a presumed third-winter argentatus Herring Gull.  Gav and I have discussed this bird a lot during its stay as we've both spent time with it, and I think we have both come to the conclusion (Gav before me) - it's probably actually a third-winter Yellow-legged Gull.  

I hadn't actually seen it for ten days or so, so was surprised to see it again yesterday...

Its legs could be yellower, but they are yellow

Top right - showing mantle shade, long wings and sturdy build

 

 

Have not seen much else of note locally recently. A Greylag tonight on Colyford Marsh with the Canada Goose flock, two Egyptian Geese on Bridge Marsh a few days ago and there's still three Avocet hanging around the Estuary which is nice.  

Even though the birding hasn't been great, it's been so nice having some brighter weather and it's great to see the nights starting to really pull out now.  'Proper migrants' incoming...