Birds Photographed in the UK in 1999

Jonathan Wasse

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, February 1999.

Proved to be a very easy bird to photograph, as it obligingly
came to bread. This is one of handful of reliable localities to
see this species in the UK during winter.

Brent Goose"Black Brant" Branta bernicla nigricans
Wells, Norfolk, February 1999.

This bird was in a flock of 300 "dark-bellied" Brent Geese
with 2 or 3 "pale-bellied" birds present as well. The photo
was taken from the car.

Examples of "Black Brant" B.b. nigricans front right
(as above) and "pale-bellied" B.b. hrota centre,
facing left, amongst the commoner "dark-bellied"
B.b. bernicla birds.

Bee-Eater Merops apiaster
Cleadon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyneside, May 1999.

After a wait of 12 years to see these beauties in the UK,
I caught up with this flock of 10 birds near Newcastle.
They spent the first couple of hours after dawn "warming-up",
before moving from their tree-roost to fly to nearby gardens.
They then gave an excellent display of their flying prowess!
Apart from a few bemused residents the area was deserted
as the "Toon army" were losing in the F.A. Cup Final at
Wembley that day... which was a shame!

Having a well-earned rest! Given a bit of patience,
these birds presented the birders with opportunities
to obtain excellent photographs.

This flock contained 10 birds, 6 of which are on
show here.

Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea
Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Dec 1999.

Bird of the year? It will not be bird of 2000 as it's untimely
departure on the night of the 31st December must have
upset the year-listers.

This bird was not very active during its stay and
it flew a short distance twice in a couple of hours or so.

The clean plumage of this bird was surprising, as most
1st winters can be heavily spotted black.

The chunky build of this species is evident, when compared
to a smaller Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus.