Whilst Denise had a more local ruin out, I joined two of our local RG to join our colleagues at the North Thames Gull RG at Pitsea tip. There were quite a few Gulls present, but despite the overnight freezing they showed little interest in feedign much and did not come down onto the rubbish laid out for us. It took several runs over by the compactor before birds decided to come down, but then after several birds in the wrong place, we did not get a catch until 10.30. The catch was mainly Herring Gulls, followed by Black-headed, a few Greater Black-backed Gull and a single Common Gull.
Gulls over the tipping area
Black-headed Gull - adult
Herring Gull - 8i
(above and two below)
Juvenile Herring Gull with abormally long bill
(photo Richard Bonsor)
Totals:
Black-headed Gull - 68 (2) + 1 control
Common Gull - 1
Herring Gull - 187 (1) + 2 controls
Great Black-backed Gull - 14
