Part of the large gull flock around Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
Every now and then, when currents, wind and tides conspire to dump immense amounts of seaweed on the shoreline, huge gatherings of gulls can occur around Rough Point, Scraggane and Fahamore. Today, some 1500 Common Gulls and about 500 Black-headed and Herring Gulls formed a melee fringing the coastline all around the headland. They were also joined by at least 300 Kittiwakes, many of which were rafting offshore, but some of which ventured close inshore to join in the feeding frenzy, offering a rare opportunity to see them in winter, up close and in some numbers.
Best of the bunch was a first-winter Little Gull which joined the throng for just a few minutes before continuing west.
First-winter Little Gull, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
First-winter Kittiwake, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
The plumage similarities between first-winter Kittiwakes and first-winter Little Gulls are striking, though of course the two are in completely different size categories, officially known as 'robust-medium-sized' and 'teensy-and-cute.'
First-winter Little Gull, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
First-winter Kittiwake, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
Adult Kittiwake, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
Winter-plumaged adult Kittiwakes develop quite an impressively dark 'shawl' around the hind neck.
Adult Common Gulls, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
One stand-out Common Gull was what must surely be the same heavily 'hooded' adult Common Gull as was seen at this exact spot in January 2016 (see this post HERE). Of the hundreds of Common Gulls around today, none even came close to the amount of neat, dark markings on the head.
Adult Common Gulls and Black-headed Gull, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery). 'Hooded' Common Gull on bottom left.
Purple Sandpiper and Turnstones, Rough Point, 12th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
Female Eider, Fermoyle, 7th November 2016 (M.O'Clery).
