Having found an old thread theme Ive moved the recent discussion about Yellow-legged Gull as requested by Ian!
In defence of John and his sightings, he is an excellent example of a local patch birder, something I very much advocate rather than chasing ticks. Not only do you get to know the species on your patch well but also the individual bird. I have no doubt that if he has seen that same bird over and over again he has seen it from every angle and in different light and is therefore positive in the ID.
As well as doing most of my UK birding locally I also prefer to do the same abroad and see species on their local patch and get to know them well rather than endlessly chasing waifs and strays just because theyre in Britain.
(Before the twitching brigade have a go, youre quite entitled to do your hobby your way and theres nothing wrong with that! I have occasionally gone to see a long stayer locally, including Johns Lesser Scaup from a few years ago.)
Was in area myself doing WeBS this morning. The Swans bred successfully on Fishing Pond (2 young birds) in Heaton Park and a male Gadwall was on Heaton Park Boating Lake - Sunday am.
Swallow 36 wnw House Martin 33 sw Grey Wag 2 w Mpipit 18 s Jay 5 sw (group of 4 and single)
Private Site
Shoveler 2 Teal 2
Ringley WebS Was there this afternoon and just before the rain came several flocks of Mallard amounting to say 50 Birds just seemed to drop out of the sky from what seemed nowhere. The coming band of rain must have forced them down. 6 Tufted Duck and 7 Teal were with them. Totals:-
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