Glaucous Gull at Prior's Fen

© Steve Dudley

This first-winter bird was first seen on January 2 at Eye tip. It turned up in a field containing a herd of Bewick's Swans just off Willow Hall Lane on January 30, where viewing was much easier.

Bullfinch at Southey Wood

© Brian Stone

Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls at Dogsthorpe Star Pit

© Kevin Du Rose

Star Pit has long been a Mecca for gull enthusiasts and has the lion's share of local rare gull records including the only record of Sabine's Gull. Records of the Caspian and Yellow-legged races of Herring Gull have increased greatly in recent years, due in part to increased observer awareness and a better knowledge of identification criteria.

The first bird (left) is an adult Caspian Gull displaying a slightly darker mantle, a small, clean white head, very long neck and wings, excessively long and parallel-sided
bill with little gonys, yellow/pink legs and a small, dark bullet-hole eye.

Waxwings at PC World, Peterborough

© Brian Stone

A great location for a species that so often turns up in supermarket carparks. In this case it is a retail park but much the same really. This party of 12 come hot on the heels of 3 at Crown Lakes on 1 January.

Although very tame, the dull conditions and activity of the birds made photography rather difficult, but here are a few shots including a closeup of the waxy tips.




© Amanda Ackerman




© Steve Dudley