This afternoon, a terrible 4 hour battle with around 40 Herring gulls against what I believe is a Great Skua took place over my house in Peterborough. We are around 60 miles from the coast, so what is this bird doing here? Eventually all went quiet, however, at one point the Skua attempted to land on my garage, tired? but the gulls would not allow it. Do you think it would have survived? It did not appear to be able to get away from the Herring Gulls who were all screeching continously. I managed to get some photos, attached, but poor quality, however, they just allow anyone to recognise the 2 species involved. Fascinating, but I felt sorry for the Skua.
Hi Sue. As I can't see the mantle of the gull at the top I can't decide between Herring Gull and Lesser black backed. The bird in the lower picture is a juvenile of probably the same species.
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
Hi, Thats interesting, although I would have liked to have thought it was a Skua! Well its still alive as 15mins ago they went over again. What would they have against this juvenile?