May 2011 - Lakeside Little Gulls!

Wednesday 2nd: This afternoon was wonderfully warm, so much so that I was out on the island at Lakeside...with no coat on! Makes a change to have a warm sunny day amidst these past weeks of rain! I'd set up my scope at the edge of the island so that I could get a good sweep all around the lake area. The Willow Warbler that I had just had a close encounter with was continually singing and did for the entire hour I was there. The Warbler was most obliging and perched openly so that I got some good photos.

Sweeping the lake, there were the usual Black-headed Gulls with their summer plumage fully blossomed. But there on one of the buoys was a Tern! Good views of it through the scope and photos too. Eventually (when I got home),  Mel and I decided that it was a Common Tern and not an Arctic Tern as I had first suggested!

As I swept the scope further around the lake, three (out of place) gulls came into view. These I had not seen before but in the scope could easily identify them as Little Gulls. These are the smallest gulls known and are about 25% smaller than a Black-headed Gull. Usually only found around the coast, they do come inland occasionally, with reports of Little Gulls at Old Moor RSPB too. Immediately recognisable by the jet-black plumage of the head and neck, whereas the chocolate-brown of Black-headed Gulls, end at the back of the head. The three Little Gulls were identified as two adults and their offspring - one 2nd year gull, as can be seen from the incomplete black plumage around the bill. Two of my photos have been published on the doncasterbirding website and that is where the immature gull was identified as a 2nd year gull.

2nd Winter Little Gull.

Two adults and 2nd winter Little Gulls.

Black-headed Gull and Little Gull for comparison.

Two femaleCommon Coots were also nesting at the lake. One of which was being attended by a male, Great Crested Grebes were there and I counted 2 pairs but there are more around in the marina. Loads of Mute Swans, about 35 and Mallard along with Tufted Duck and some resident Canada Geese.

Maiting 7-spot Ladybirds

So in the space of an hour, I had three summer species of bird, one of which, the Little Gulls was a FIRST for me!