Cote
3986 Lesser Black-backed Gull: as the floods rose after Storm Ciaron (sp?), gulls gathered. By 2nd Nov LBBS had reached 4000 (4k). Much smaller numbers of Herring and Yellow-legged gulls, and common gulls. Worryingly re large gulls, in all 3 species, the numbers of this year's juvs were obviously low. Very evident that large majority of LBBs were adults. Historically, in autumn, the majority would be birds of the year and adults. The water is now very high and many gulls have deserted the site - possibly to fields on road between Chimney and Buckland. Road closed as flooded. . 12:01.
Mick Cunningham
Hi Mick, this is of interest to me! Do you know if they were/are roosting on the floods? For several years I watched the Baulking roost which had a make-up of Gulls very similar to as you've described. Overwhelmingly LB-B, overwhelmingly adult birds. The Baulking roost seemed to be completely abandoned last winter. This winter it looked as though Hatford Pit was becoming a roost site - with up to 2000 flying in for dusk. Similar make-up of Gulls. The last couple of weeks seem to have seen this site abandoned however. I'm wondering where they've gone! A few years ago there was a Kumliens in the Yelford area, there was also a probable Kumliens in the Baulking roost at a similar time. Although not proven I thought it was pretty good evidence of transit of birds between the west and south of the county. Although I don't have data to support this, I always felt that the number of juv/1w Gulls in the Bauling roost tended to lessen as the winter went on - almost as if they were moving elsewhere...
ReplyDeleteHi Mark
ReplyDeleteYes I saw the kumlein.
I don't think they roosted on the flood when numbers highest as water not deep and patches of dry land that eg a fox could use. Lot more water now but still not too deep. And many fewer gulls. I never stayed till absolute dark but as dusk feel m fell gulls started leaving vaguely west ish