A
Whimbrel, an
Arctic Skua and a
Shelduck were season-firsts at Goring Gap this morning. A juvenile
Yellow-legged Gull flew northwest over the fields and 18
Mediterranean Gulls included seven juveniles. Some were moving purposefully, including a flock incorporating two adults and six juveniles. Two adult
Common Gulls and three juvenile
Pied Wagtails were seen. Other birds noted included 14
Swifts, seven
Gannets, four
Swallows east, two
Sandwich Terns and three
Oystercatchers.
|
juvenile Yellow-legged Gull over Goring Gap |
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Herring Gull family at Goring Gap |
In the late afternoon, as I was in the area, I called in at Thursley Common. Thanks to a bloke along the boardwalk for giving me directions, and thanks to another bloke just leaving the Belted Galloway enclosure, I knew I was looking in the right place. Sure enough, after about 15 minutes, the splendid male
Red-backed Shrike materialised on the perch that bloke 2 had described it as frequenting. It showed very nicely indeed for half an hour or so, sitting calmly and making occasional brief sallies to catch a large insect before returning to its vigil. Other highlights included a
Crossbill, a
Siskin, a family of
Stonechats,
Willow Warbler,
Meadow Pipit and a
Teal.
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male Red-backed Shrike at Thursley Common |