A brief sea-watch in extremely blustery conditions from the Bracelet Bay car park yesterday afternoon revealed little passage so it was left to the ever reliable Mediterranean Gulls to keep us occupied. Initially numbers were only just creeping into double figures until the arrival of a blue car caused another flock of at least thirty to fly up from the rocks below. This strange move baffled us at first until the owner of said car exited their vehicle and dumped a bag load of bread crumbs onto the floor. Suddenly everything became clear and unless these birds have developed x-ray vision due to a bizarre evolutionary leap, I can only presume that this is a regular occurrence. Has anyone else experience of wild birds recognising something as specific as a particular car before?

While the gulls were busy squabbling amongst themselves I had the perfect opportunity to pull my own car alongside to take a few photographs. It certainly beat attempting to stand upright in the gales.

P1060452 - Mediterranean Gull, Bracelet Bay
P1060453 - Mediterranean Gull, Bracelet Bay
P1060448 - Mediterranean Gull, Bracelet Bay

Although a couple of the Mediterranean Gulls were ringed I didn’t manage to read them clearly enough to submit my sightings and the ringed individual I did photograph seems to be missing the large plastic ring that normally holds its unique number.

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In other news I wish all of my readers a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Many thanks for all of your support over the past twelve months whether that be simply through reading my ramblings, leaving a comment or engaging with me on twitter. Here’s to a stellar 2014 and whatever adventures you’ll be having in the great outdoors.


8 Comments

Neil · December 24, 2013 at 7:00 pm

Beautiful close-ups Merry Christmas.

KristiBowmanDesign · December 24, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Beautiful Gulls, Merry Christmas!

eileeninmd · December 24, 2013 at 9:49 pm

They are pretty gulls, great shots!

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas!

Carole M. · December 24, 2013 at 10:40 pm

lovely clear close-ups of the gull; best wishes

Dave · December 25, 2013 at 7:26 am

A superb species for your patch Adam, one that I don't get to see too often. Isnt it weird about the bread timing!!! thank that man in 2014.

Anyway its been good to visit your blog again this year, thanks for the stories in 2013 and look forward to many more in 2014 and beyond

very best wishes
Dave

Stewart M · December 25, 2013 at 9:30 am

Nice looking bird – we had a one legged Med Gull on one of our sites in Gateshead – called hime Monopod!

cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne

PS: Christmas day is ending here – its a wonderful warm evening – hope you have a good day.

Unknown · December 25, 2013 at 6:28 pm

Lovely gulls. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Paul Seligman · December 25, 2013 at 8:47 pm

Metal ring shows an 02 clearly…. preceded by a space and what looks like a 1… any possibilities to match to any of the regulars there?

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