With no sign of any incoming Gulls at Norwick we headed to Haroldswick seeing single juvenile and adult Glaucous Gulls there. We next tried Burrafirth where we saw just a single adult Glaucous Gull. At Loch of Belmont we enjoyed watching the calling drake Long-tailed Ducks making their short display flights over the females as described in BWP. Easter Loch was free of ice today and again playing host to the 2w Iceland Gull. As we drove back north we saw the roadside flock of c.20 Snow Buntings at Caldback.
Gulls at Haroldswick
Adult Glaucous Gull at Haroldswick
A rather round-headed individual that almost invites confusion with Iceland Gull but note how its primaries only just extend past the tip of its tail. The winter plumage of this individual appears restricted to showing small brown spots to its head.
Juvenile Glaucous Gull at Haroldswick
The combination of its black-tipped pink bill and dark eye safely age it as a juvenile.
Adult winter Glaucous Gull at Burrafirth
Winter plumage is characterised by the varying amount of brown streaks and spots on the head sometimes extending onto the breast-sides as shown by this individual. The bill is also paler yellow with a paler orange spot on the gonys than in summer.
Juvenile Kittiwake at Lund
Display-flighting Long-tailed Duck at Loch of Belmont
Snow Buntings at Caldback
