Winter gulling @Lauwersoog

The Glaucous Gull went missing just seconds before I arrived but still an interesting day at Lauwersoog. I spent several hours in the harbour trying to relocate the Glaucous, but we failed.

Instead an interesting pale-winged juvenile "large gull" allowed detailed study. From a distance it resembles a Glaucous/Iceland Gull but it is a shade too dark, actually Thayers Gull would fit better! But head-shape and tertail pattern indicates Herring Gull (maybe mixed with some foreign genes).

Below some more images of this interesting plumage;

A single Kittiwake was feeding between the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls

And then Martijn called that he had seen the Glaucous Gull flying over in western direction. When I met him after a quick drive he was puzzled with his pictures, it showed an Iceland! We quickly drove along the dike and were able to catch up with the bird. As it followed the dike we were able to overtake it, stop and make pictures of the bird flying past. And get in the car, overtake it, stop and make pictures. And again and again untill it flew into the Bandpolder.

Surprise of the day!
Actually I think this is my first Iceland at Lauwersoog, Martijn, thanks for calling!

A family-flock of 6 Red-breasted Geese is wintering at Moddergat. Today I was lucky to see this exceptional flock at close range. Stunning birds!

And some more images from last weeks;

wow!

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

more Helgoland

Some more images from a very nice visit. Saturday started good as I recieved the message by AT of a late Yellow-browed Warbler as I left the ship. Within a minute I watched it, but we soon lost it as it was moving quickly through Sudhafengelande. Belegfoto below;

It was clear that many birds had arrived, Robins and Goldcrest were everywhere! Especially the Goldcrest were very cooperative;

And amongst the Goldcrest were several Firecrests, this one showed well at Kringel;

4 Pallas's Warblers had been seen last days but today only one bird was seen, and it was not easy as it was cruising around Nordseehalle. I was just discussing with CB how nice it would be if the Pallas' would join the Goldcrests feeding in the small bush next to us as I saw a bright pale-yellow rump of a hovering bird. There it was!
It stayed only for a few seconds and managed to hide both the rump and crown on the picture, but what a great bird!

A Rough-legged Buzzard was stuck on the island and must have had a hard time finding prey and avoiding attacks from the local corvids.

And some more images from migrant Chiffchaff, Robin, Song Thrush and Blackcap;

In last light on saturday, CB found a Bluetail on Ostklippe. The bird showed well as it made small flights to catch insect. The last time we saw it was when a Sparrowhawk catched prey at the the same bush...

The Siberian Stonechat was still present at the beach. The "sit-down-and-wait" technique worked as it usually does with Wheatears;

On sunday afternoon if finally connected with the long-staying Sabines Gull on Kringel, what a beauty! (And compare the size to the Great-Black-backed...)