Ring-billed Gull

I started the New Year with a pre-dawn departure for Walpole Park in Gosport. There was virtually no traffic, even on the M27 cars were few and far between. I parked up expecting only a short stay as "Waldo" is the most  dependable and obliging bird. Well, two hours later, having searched the park and the whole of Haslar Creek, I gave up and left for some sea watching at Stoke's Bay. Not a lot to be seen save for some Rooks doing aerobatics in a strong onshore breeze.

A local birder didn't believe that I had dipped on Waldo and insisted that I return for another go. So in pleasant sunshine I returned to the park and - yes you've guessed it - there was "Waldo" only 20 feet from the car, posing perfectly.

 Waldo, a Ring-billed Gull has overwintered at this location for at least the last 7 years and in tick reliability terms, ranks on a par with the Little Owl at Stapleash Farm

Common Gull for comparison

Having expended sufficient gigabytes of memory I departed, not really knowing where I was actually going next. I managed to find my way over Portsdown Hill to Boarhunt and took a leisurely drive down through Southwick (Suthick) to Cosham where I made my mind up and went to Farlington Marshes. Car parking space was at a premium but I managed to squeeze in. As soon as I got out the car a kind birder informed me that the Red-breasted Goose had relocated to Tangier Road but there were six Black-necked Grebes in the channel. I slung my camera on my back and set out for the Point. Success! I located one of the grebes, a long way off, but not much else. So, having completed a circumnavigation of the marshes, I returned home - knackered.


Happy New Year everyone