Iceland hat trick

Second winter Iceland Gull, Richmond Bank, Warrington. Note the relatively small size when compared to the surrounding Herring Gulls. The mantle is clearly showing grey adult ype feathers.

A very large first winter Iceland Gull at Richmond Bank. This bird could easily be mistaken for a Glaucous Gull, however it is long-winged and the bill is a bit too delicate and not pink enough for Glaucous Gull.

The two Iceland gulls in the same shot - second winter bird bottom left and first winter top right. Note the size difference between the two.

Second winter Iceland Gull

First winter Iceland Gull

Black-headed Gulls squabbling, Newton Lake

Drake Teal, Newton Lake. This is the first time I have seen Teal coming for bread, though the pair tended to circle around the outside of the Mallard/Tufty/Coot flock.

Female Teal, Newton Lake

Tufted Duck, Newton Lake

Tufted Ducks, Newton Lake

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The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the three Iceland Gulls I saw at Richmond Bank this afternoon. There is a large mud flat in the middle of the Mersey here which is exposed at low tide. The location is also virtually next door to Arpley tip and to Moore Nature Reserve. Consequently a decent number of gulls were hanging around here after the tip had closed. Aside from the first and second winter birds photographed, a third juvenile flew over our observation point.

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This morning I spent a bit of time at Newton Lake and was surprised to see a pair of Teal attempting to come for bread, though they were generally timid around the larger ducks. 17 Tufties were present and a Grey Wagtail was, as usual here, skipping along the path.

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The morning had started with a male Brambling in the garden again. The head is starting to moult back into breeding plumage - I hope this bird stops around for another few weeks. The Grey Partridges visited late afternoon and a pair of Reed Buntings were also present though it was a bad day for the Collared Doves. One was found this morning plucked in the front garden, clearly a victim of "madam" - our nickname for the local female Sparrowhawk. While I stood in the kitchen having my lunch another dove simply fell off a branch in the large Ash tree and landed in front of the bird table - stone dead!

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Nothing much doing at the feeding station today though John Tymon yesterday had large numbers of Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers and also had a female Merlin. My only birds of note yesterday were a mixed thrush flock nr Culcheth primary school (58 Redwings, 18 Fieldfares) and a flock of 38 Fieldfares in a field nr Glazebrook village. The male Brambling was present again in the garden.

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A quick trip to Penny late afternoon bagged a Little Egret from the New Hide, though the little skulker only showed its head and neck, preferring to hide behind vegetation and a couple of Grey Herons.