November 27, 2016

Bonaparte`s Gull - Clonahinchy


I came across a Bonaparte`s Gull on the small patch of beach at Clonahinchy with a rising tide that was close to the stones , the bird was not easy to approach as is wary and flighty. Not long after clocking me it went up ,south toward Lough Donnell
When we observed this bird last back in October we decided it was in late moult and losing a lot of primary feathers,this bird today is missing P 3&4 and still has a bit of moult on the nape and forehead suggesting it is the same bird that has been seen since september.