Saturday, 6 April 2013

Out in the sun at last!

Although in my profile, I have referred to our favourite local birding patch (Holmethorpe/Mercers), I haven't put up many posts about visits there; so here is a rather overdue post. With a spare afternoon and some welcome sun (at last), Thomas and I popped over there this afternoon.

The other temptation to go there was the fact that a very lovely Little Gull has been gracing Mercers Lake all this week. I know anyone reading this who is not a keen 'birder' may be thinking that the words 'lovely' and 'Gull' do not normally appear in the same sentence, but trust me (or better still Google it), this is a very appealing bird - not to mention, extremely uncommon visitor to these parts.

Access around the area can be pretty tricky for Thomas, and all too often it seems that unusual birds turn up in places that can be hard or impossible for him to get to see. So we were especially delighted that this bird was nicely viewable from one of the better paths. It put on a fabulous display for us too as we watched it feeding rather Tern-like, over the water and showing off its characteristic dark underwings.  But best of all it was a 'lifer' for Thomas :)



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20 comments:

  1. ann @ studiohyde7 April 2013 at 00:37

    This looks like a great place to visit. Especially good for Thomas to get involved with outdoor activities like this - what an encouraging start to Spring.

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    1. Jerry7 April 2013 at 11:21

      As you say Ann, very encouraging and yes especially good for Thomas. He loves to get outside at every opportunity and his specialists agree that it's one reason why he keeps healthy despite his DMD and avoids many dreaded colds and chest infections which can get rather worrying.

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  2. Jane7 April 2013 at 01:04

    Finally weather to go out in, I hope you are going to get a lot of it !

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  3. Laura7 April 2013 at 02:22

    Oh lucky you and Thomas to have seen a Little Gull. Gosh it says in my birding book it is the smallest of the world's gulls and is extremely rare. What a treat especially as these feathered friends are not always so accommodating where they perch and nest so I fuly understand the problems. I am delighted you all managed to see one. :-)

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    1. Jerry7 April 2013 at 11:36

      That's sweet of you to look it up Laura. Yes it was very exciting to see - sorry I didn't get a photo of it.

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  4. martinealison7 April 2013 at 06:33

    Une très jolie publication... Avec l'arrivée du printemps, nous pouvons nous émerveiller...
    Gros bisous

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    1. Jerry7 April 2013 at 11:37

      Yes Martine, Spring is such a special time of year, I wonder what we'll see next. Gros bisous.

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  5. Rita Vaselli8 April 2013 at 00:58

    Dear Jerry,if I did not know where the photograph was taken, I would think you'd be here, at the Oasis of Lungavilla, where it is possible, moving easily, even with strollers (when the girls are here) and bring them to air and to observe the beauty of nature!
    It 'a true marvel that there are these beautiful places closer to home, well organized, for walks of all.
    Have nice week!Rita.
    (P.S.Yesterday springtime,today november...)

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    1. Jerry8 April 2013 at 13:55

      That sounds fabulous Rita - I'd love to see it. I bet it gets other birds we have never seen before.

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  6. Ragged Robin9 April 2013 at 02:35

    Looks a beautiful reserve for birding Jerry. So glad you saw Little Gull and especially pleased for Thomas getting a "life" tick :)

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    1. Jerry11 April 2013 at 00:57

      Yes it's a great place to have around the corner. Yesterday morning I saw a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Swallows and a Sand Martin - all on my way in to work!!

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  7. Rita Vaselli9 April 2013 at 10:41

    They say there are 70 species typical of the river areas (here where I live is a great area between the river Po and Ticino there are large natural park of protected areas and wildlife interest), but this is just a 10 minute drive ...Look at
    www.mapatia.com/id.php?id=3174463

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    1. Jerry11 April 2013 at 01:00

      I have just looked up the link Rita. Wow! How wonderful to live near to this beautiful place!!

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  8. Breathtaking11 April 2013 at 05:19

    So pleased that you had a sunny, father and son day out.It looks like a good place for bird watching,and I'm delighted you saw this small rare bird. I have never seen one, but sightings of gulls in general are getting more frequent inland, even in busy town centers, which is rather
    unusual where I live.

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    1. Jerry11 April 2013 at 13:12

      You've got me wondering which Gulls you get! Yellow-legged Gull??

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    2. Breathtaking13 April 2013 at 00:15

      The only actual sightings I have had is when I've seen them flying overhead in large numbers. This usually happens when I'm on my balcony.In town where my daughter lives however it's a different matter, she tells me they have taken over a derelict building and walk the streets looking for food presumably, although we live 30km
      from the sea!! In short I don't know if they are Yellow-legged Gulls, but I'm going to find out, and let you know.

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    3. Jerry15 April 2013 at 14:45

      great, I'll look forward hearing!

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    4. Breathtaking18 April 2013 at 10:52

      Hi!
      They are Yellow-legged Gulls Jerry but most of them seem to have removed themselves back to the coast, possibly because of better weather conditions.

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    5. Jerry18 April 2013 at 11:33

      Thanks so much for telling me - I'm feeling very pleased with myself for guessing right too!!

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