Birds Photographed in the UK in 1992
(January - April)

Jonathan Wasse

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire, January 1992.

This 1st winter bird was attracted to the wildfowl
feeding centre in front of the hide. In this shot,
probably my favourite photograph, the characteristic
clean white underwing of this plumage can be seen.

Better views than normal. They are usually of specs
in the distant at the winter evening gull roosts.

A closer view. The dark bill and legs and
"highwayman's mask" around the eye show
up quite nicely.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Norwich, Norfolk, January 1992.

Either the first or second record of this species
in Norfolk. This second winter bird frequented
the University of East Anglia grounds but proved
elusive to photographers during its protracted stay.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
East Harling, Norfolk, January 1992.

This surprisingly obliging bird gave me a chance
of setting up the camera and taking this shot.

Bean Goose Anser fabalis rossicus
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire, March 1992.

This particular subspecies occurs as a mid-winter
vagrant and can turn up anywhere in the UK.

Nice comparison with the closely related Pink-
footed Goose A. brachyrhynchus (foreground).
The rossicus subspecies is closer in size and
colouration to Pink-footed Geese than the
fabalis subspecies of Bean Goose.

Northern Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Elsecar Res., South Yorkshire, April 1992.

In early spring these birds start moving north.
This bird stayed for only one day before moving
on.

Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix
Swallow Moss, Staffordshire, April 1992.

At the present time (May 2000) it appears that
these spectacular birds have sadly been lost
from this locality.

Red Kite Milvus milvus
Tregaron, Wales, April 1992.

The last bastion of native Red Kites in the UK.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire, April 1992.

Stopping off before moving west to the Pennines.

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Barnsley Moors, South Yorkshire, April 1992.

The master of the moors. This female was a
cracker. Note the longer wing length than tail
length, opposite to Eurasian Sparrowhawk
A. nisus as shown below.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Barnsley Moors, South Yorkshire, April 1992.

Decent comparison with the above photograph.