We saw the Audouin's Gull (1 Viewer)

W

winkle

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #1

Been there, saw it, done that.

 

Ashley beolens

Breeding the next generation of birders.

• May 5, 2003

• #2

******* I am ******* working all this week and can't ******* get to the litle *******, How nice is it?

 

W

winkle

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #3

Very, very nice.

Only found out about it by luck.

Just loafing in a hide at Stodmarsh when someone told us about it.

An hour later we had it.

 

IanF

Moderator

• May 5, 2003

• #4

Even I heard about it whilst out birding today from a guy with a pager about it being down at Dungeoness. I saw one last year in Majorca, but it would be nice to see one in this country.

Congratulations on the sighting. Anyone get a photo of it for the site ?

 

H

HH75

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #5

Hi all,
Wow!Wasn't online since Sat and just found out that there has been an Audouin's Gull at Dungeness,as predicted a few days ago by Richard Millington on the Surfbirds mailing group!
What age was it,and could it be the Dutch bird heading west?If not,then there could clearly be more around and I'll have to look out for one here:would be a first Irish record(as I'm aware that this one is a first for Britain)!
Well done to all who saw it!
Harry H

 

ivewalmer

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #6

It was ace - will post a duff but recognisable picture to the thread sometime soon once I have resized it. Expect there's one on surfbirds allready!

Ivan

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #7

Nothing on surfbirds.........yet!!!

I've heard it's a second winter Harry, in which case it's almost certainly the Dutch bird

This'll be the first acceptable one!! remember the one claimed here in Cornwall about six years ago? I know the chaps who saw it and they're adamant about the I.D.

Only four more days at work before I can go and see it!!

Darrell

 

ivewalmer

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #8

So here is a picture - very poor quality, and very poor handiwork but was a bit excited at the time!!!

Ivan

 

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D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #9

What a corker - has us larophiles drooling

Darrell

 

Steve

Member

Staff member

• May 5, 2003

• #10

Is this a First for BF a rarity pic up within a few hours!!

 

P

peter hayes

Guest

• May 5, 2003

• #11

Well done Ivan. Bloody marvellous!

 

Jasonbirder

Jason-occasional-twitcher

• May 5, 2003

• #12

My jealousy knows no bounds, but how the hell am I going to find an excuse to escape from work and family over the next day or two!

 

ivewalmer

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #13

No skill on my part at all - just turned up joined the crowds and said WOW.

As I understand it the bird was picked up by the guys at the bird obs (responsible for finding so many good birds that those such as I twitch) so all credit to them. Of course apologies if I am misinformed and it was found by A.N.Other.

Ivan

 

H

HH75

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #14

Hi Darrell,
Point taken:I don't know the lads who had the Cornish Audouin's so I couldn't comment on that sighting,but quite willing to concede that it was one!
Nice shot,probably the same bird.....just keep heading west,PLEASE!!
Harry H

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #15

Harry,

Hope it gets to Ireland ----- after I've seen it!!! It'll cost you a Thayer's though

Darrell

 

Karl J

Well-known member

• May 5, 2003

• #16

In all honesty I've never even heard of it. But sounds like good stuff for you folks.

I would be interested to find out a little more about it though, where's it usually found ? Why is it so rare ? etc....

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• May 6, 2003

• #17

Karl,

Audoins Gull is so special because it has long been predicted to turn up in Britain but never has - until now!

They are a Mediterranean species, best found on the East coast of Spain (Mallorca is good) as well as Italy, Greece and Turkey.

They were once very rare, and seeing one was the highlight of any trip . Over the past decade or so they have extended their numbers, to the extent that they have been seen in France - away from the Med, and now this bird has been seen in the Netherlands and here in Britain. Lets hope it's the first of many.

Darrell

 

G

Goshawk

Guest

• May 6, 2003

• #18

I have had plenty in the Med but would love to see one over here. I wish I could get down there to see it but I have no chance. BTW it is on surfbirds now and consensus of opinion appears to think that it is the same bird that was in the Netherlands.

 

Colin

Axeman (Retired)

• May 6, 2003

• #19

Ivan,
Hope you don't mind but I have taken your picture and lightened it a little and it shows up the bird really well. I am in deepest Gloucestershire and haven't been to see it so I am really appreciative of being able to see it in a photo.

Colin

 

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Karl J

Well-known member

• May 6, 2003

• #20

Thanks Darrell.
Good to see any bird extending it's numbers, well most anyway. And if it is on the increase then it sounds reasonable to suspect it won't be the last one you see.