Birds Photographed in the UK in 2000
(January - March)

Jonathan Wasse

White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
Docking, Norfolk, January 2000.

This elusive adult was located in a tree on farmland
to the north west of Docking. It had eluded birders
all morning, many of whom had gathered 5 miles west
at Brancaster. One hour later it flew low southwards
and appeared to land in a nearby copse. After a quick
drive to the back of this copse the bird flew out from
the trees and slowly gained height as it again drifted
southwards. As it flew towards me I quickly changed
from 'scope to camera. I was very lucky to get a
couple of decent flight shots.

Following a relatively barren spell with ony a couple
of brief sightings of this Eagle in the UK over the
last nine year, at least 3 twitchable birds were
present in eastern England during winter 99/00.

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
King's Lynn, Norfolk, January 2000.

A nice 2nd winter bird frequenting the rivermouth.
A milky coffee coloured bird showing the typical
pale iris and a small pale tip to the bill, characteristic
of this plumage.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Shoebury, Essex, January 2000.

This 3rd winter-adult bird that came to bread proved
to be surprisingly elusive.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset, February 2000.

This 2nd winter plumaged bird was one of 3 birds
present on the shingle island near to the visitors
centre. The others being an adult in nearly full
summer pluamge and a 1st winter bird.

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset, February 2000.

This 2nd winter plumaged individual had a routine of
flying into Radipole Lake to bathe with the other gulls
one hour before dark. Later it would fly off to roost
nearby in Weymouth Bay. I was lucky to get a nice
selection of photos despite the windy and overcast
conditions in the late afternoon.

Ageing the bird as a 2nd winter as opposed to an
adult is clear from this photograph. This is seen with
the extensive amount of black in the primaries, with
a clear lack of white just before the black primary tips.

A striking feature of this bird is the dark grey
colour of the wings when compared to the slightly
larger Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus. Also,
note the large amount of black on the head and small
white crescents around the eye. The legs appeared
blackish.

A very nice bird indeed. It was a shame that it spent
only a short amount of time, about 10 mins., at this
site before moving on to roost in the Bay.

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Drift Reservoir, Cornwall, March 2000.

This 1st summer drake arrived from North America
the previous autumn.

A nice comparison with Greater Scaup Aythya marila
(lower). The black restricted to the nail of the bill of
the Lesser Scaup is clearly visible.

.

You cannot ask for a better comparison than this
side-by-side shot. The thick fog cloaking Cornwall
that morning allowed for excellent close views of
these two species. The darker vermiculations of
the Lesser Scaup (left) are visible, as is the bulkier
size of the drake Greater Scaup (right).

Greater Scaup Aythya marila
Drift Reservoir, Cornwall, March 2000.

Two pairs of Greater Scaup accompanied the
Lesser at this site. Did the Greater Scaup
originate from the USA?.

Sora Rail Porzana carolina
Stover Country Park, Newton Abbot, Devon, March 2000.

A record shot of this long staying bird (ca. 3 months).

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Exminster, Devon, March 2000.

One of the few remaining strongholds of this species
are along the country lanes around Exminster,
Devon. At least five singing males were watched
during this brief visit.