The Second York Gull Watch

About 25 intrepid souls joined Chris Gomersall and Jono Leadley to have a look at the Rufforth Tip gulls for the second annual York Gull Watch. It was a mild morning and following a welcome from the Club Chairman, Peter Watson, the group split into two, with Chris taking half the gang down to the field opposite the tip and Jono staying with the others at the layby.

A small flock of gulls were loafing in the field across the road and gave the group a good chance to look through the various ages of Herring, Great Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls. A little later Jono picked up a first winter Glaucous Gull over the tip and several of the group managed to see it in their scopes. Meanwhile, Chris had found a second Glaucous Gull in the other field and the group enjoyed good views of this and some argentatus Herring Gulls. Jono led the others to meet Chris and after a while we added a second winter Lesser Black-backed Gull to the list. A first winter Glaucous Gull dropped in and the whole group got scope views. This may have been the bird Jono had over the tip as it was a paler bird than the one that was sitting in the field earlier.

Towards midday, birders began to drift off and a flock of  Fieldfares went over north. An enjoyable morning despite relatively few gulls to look through. Many birders headed south to Acaster Airfield where a Great Grey Shrike has been showing well for the last couple of days.

Jono