Laughing Gull

A rather worrying morning when on arrival at New Brighton just after 8AM on Wednesday, when the birders announced that there had been no sign at all of the Laughing Gull, some two and a half hours passed when I picked it up gliding just above my head and eastwards towards the beach, it landed on the tide line, had a little feed, flew around the fort and then went and landed on the pontoon where it has been found the previous day. Interestingly, when it appeared it was the only gull on the coast flying around, preferring to avoid even the Black-headed Gulls. Apparently they do much the same in the states, preferring their own species company or a solitary lifestyle, presumable this is down to a very different feeding habit and behavior preference to American Herring Gull? Anyone know any more on this? Even on the pontoon it preferred the Redshanks, totally avoiding the Herring Gulls.

Laugher...

Had a dodge to Nosterfield NR on the way home, highlight being the distant drake American Wigeon and a Brent Goose. Last time I visited I was gulling, saw this beauty...

Gotta love a juv Casp!

Ridgway's Canada Goose

On Saturday I headed out north west in order to see the Ridgway's Canada Goose, thanks to Brian Hendersons superb directions we were swiftly on site and located the Ridgway's Canada. As per, there has been the usual BirdForum and car journey discussions on whether or not it has a potential to reach the UK. The birds only has to get to Greenland and then latch onto a carrier....bit of an ask though!

Mainly spending a lot of its time with the local Canadas, however mixed in with Pinks and Greylags.

Ridg....

At least its not on some lake in the Midlands, would slightly dampen its credentials somewhat!

After the Ridgway's we headed off to another site and managed some more than 'standard' views of a pair of Golden Eagles hunting together some 25m in the air, and at one point were about 40m away, as well as Goshawk. Then a look at the two female Ring-necked Ducks, followed by a cracking 120 or so Red Kites at the feeding station.

All pics of Golden Eagle by Harry Murphy, please don't  email to ask me where I saw these birds ...

I'd never had views like it, and doubt I ever will do again. Crystal clear skies, snowy landscape, and two Golden Eagle hunting together some 40m away. Amazing.