Friday 10 January 2014

Milton Gull Fest!

Yes, more gulls.

Milton Tip became a bit of a local patch for me last winter. I visited once a week throughout the winter and bar my first and last visit, I had Caspian gulls every time (not to mention a couple of glaucs). My best day count was five (a photo I had of a 1st winter was even 'bombed' by another as I found out only when I checked my pics later) but a multi-observer count around the same time yielded a minimum of 9 birds. The only count I know of in the UK higher than this is a recent one of 11 made at Dungeness.

I don't think last winter was a one-off though. Caspians are back in force in similar numbers this year and the white-wingers are here too. I saw evidence of this today on a three hour visit this afternoon when I had NINE species in and around the tip - juvvy Iceland & glaucous and a minimum of 4 Caspian gulls. Comparing notes with other observers there were at least 7 of the latter present. (edit: 2x 3rd winters seen the following day by other obs brings the weekend minimum to 9 individuals, with 2x 2nd winters present on the Monday boosting this to a whopping 11+).

My only other birding outing recently was a trip to the Brecks for the crossbills - no sign of the parrots but even here, gulls turned out to be the highlight. A small flock of about 150 lured me off the A11 and they included a brutish and classic 1st winter Caspian.

Caspian gull, Brecks - large bird, probably a male

1st winter Caspian gull (centre with 3rd w herring) - a dark-billed individual
1st winter glaucous gull

Another good-sized 1st winter Caspian (second from right at the top of the bank) and an adult michahellis below and to the right



2 comments:

  1. Great stuff mate! Was hoping to do some gulling myself soon and being Cambridge-based Milton shouldn't be too much hassle. Any advice on where to view from when the tip's in action? I gather the layby on the A10 is good for birds in the adjacent fields- anywhere else/any view of the actual tip?

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    1. Hi Louis, from Milton Park & Ride you need to head west down Butt Lane (away from the traffic lights). After half a mile or so there's an area to park on the left with a farm and a barrier across the path. Follow the public footpath south for half a mile and then cut through the trees to view from the tip's west perimeter fence. Remember not to go on a sunday as the tip's closed (a mistake I still sometimes make!). Good luck!

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