Adult Summer Bonaparte's Gull ( On left )
After a later then hoped for start i got to Oare Marshes about mid morning , my target bird today was a stunning summer plumage Bonaparte's Gull , i duly arrived by the East Flood and was soon onto the Bonaparte's Gull which was out in the middle of the flood , a cracking full black hood and bill were seen even at this range , it was along side a Black Headed Gull which gave a great size comparison , the Bonaparte's being obviously smaller.
Adult summer Med Gull.
From the lay by i could also see 2 Adult summer Med Gulls , the floods water level had gone up a tag after last night storm and the clouds were beginning to close in a bit so i retreated to the East Flood hide via a quick hello to Murray , i made it just in time as the rain soon come down and i would have been soaked ..lol
Digi scoped Bonaparte's Gull.
Note the black extends down the nape.
You can just make out the white eye crescents .
Completely small black bill .
There were fewer waders around this morning partially due to me getting the tide wrong , however i did see up to 6 Common Sandpipers which were a year tick for me plus the usual Avocets , Black Tailed Godwits , Redshank and approx 5 Ruff and a single Dunlin.
Adult Med Gull in flight .
There were a few Swallows hawking around the East flood hide and i briefly saw 2 Swifts fly over , after awhile i decided to check over the West Flood and on route i saw a Green Woodpecker , 1 Hobby and 3 Stock Dove plus i heard Cetti's , Reed & Sedge Warblers and the pinging of Bearded Tits .
Overhead Hobby.
One of many Gatekeepers.
No visit to Oare should be without a pic or two of Black Tailed Godwit.
Having a preen.
Nice view of the tail.
So that concludes another enjoyable birding session at Oare , hopefully i will be able to get some better pics of the Bonaparte's Gull if it sticks around for awhile .
