CASPIAN GULLS IN CROMER!

I have always wanted to visit Cromer this time of year, as it is the place in Britain for seeing juvenile Caspian Gulls in late summer. Geographically speaking, it makes sense. Cromer is situated at the north-eastern corner of one of England's most easterly counties. Directly to the east lies the coast of North Holland. It's perfectly positioned to be the first arrival point for juvenile Caspian Gulls dispersing westwards from mid-July. Much in the way that southeast England seems to be the point for the first arriving Yellow-legged Gulls, a couple of weeks earlier. For anyone interested in gulls, Cromer comes highly recommended for unrivalled opportunities to study Caspian Gulls at point-blank range.

Four birds had been reported regularly throughout the week on the beach at Cromer, so I visited tonight with my good friend Owen Parsons. On arrival, it didn't take long to find our first juvenile Caspian Gull, roosting on the beach.

As we were looking through the juvenile Herring Gulls, a 1st summer Caspian Gull appeared and sat on the rocks.

Then another bird appeared on the beach in front of us.

I couldn't believe how many Caspian Gulls were about. We connected with six individual birds, three first summers, and three juvenile birds, but the adult bird eluded us after a good search of the area.

Owen papping away with a close Caspian Gull

A great evening of birding finished off with a pint watching the sun go down.