For most of the day it remained nicer than forecast although the promised sleet and snow arrived from early afternoon. A tour of the island produced 3 Icelandic Redwings at Norwick, a Snow Bunting at Haroldswick, a Pink-footed Goose, 2 European White-fronted Geese and a Wood Pigeon at Baltasound. However, the best was saved to last as after weeks, if not months of looking, we finally enjoyed prolonged views of the Kumlien's/Thayer's Gull at Easter Loch, Uyeasound.
First-cycle Kumlien's/Thayer's Gull at Easter Loch, Uyeasound
The dark Kumlien's/pale Thayer's conundrum has been rumbling on for years with the confusion and differing treatments being employed either side of the Atlantic rather neatly summarised when discussing a first-cycle individual at Dunbeg, Argyll here. However, with the lump of Iceland Gull and Thayer's Gull it has partially been laid to rest as described here. It is of course still enjoyable to watch and to attempt to document the features shown by individuals occurring in the UK.
