Grafham Water 08/08/22

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The Cape Gull identified at GW yesterday was a first for the UK and hence a trip there had to be done. We arrived around 10 this morning, the weather already very warm with hardly a cloud in the sky.

The bird was present at the far end of the dam involving a walk of about a mile, but then gave close views on the foreshore of the reservoir. A brute of a bird with a massive bill, small dark eye, and greenish legs. It gave brief flight views on a couple of occasions revealing the distinctive upperwings: white trailing edge to the secondaries contrasted with all dark primaries (no mirror).

The gull then flew to the reservoir tower where it sat on railings for the next hour. Other gulls present included an adult Yellow-legged, sub-adult Caspian, and Lesser Black-backed, enabling a useful size comparison with the Cape Gull.

Other birds present included a fair number of Common Terns over the reservoir and several Yellow Wagtails on the foreshore.

Cape Gull



Upperwing of Cape Gull revealed in skirmish with juvenile gull

Grafham Water





Caspian Gull

Caspian Gull with Black-headed Gull and Common Tern


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