Trip reports

Budleigh Salterton - 1 March 2009

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

There were many gulls including common, less black back and black headed, most of the latter already sporting their summer plumage of chocolate coloured heads. Two peregrines were seen and two members witnessed the female making the kill of a gull on a field. There were not a lot of small birds on view, but those seen included robin, dunnock, meadow pipit and rock pipit.
Walking along the cliffs, it was noted that a few of the fulmars that regularly nest there had returned. Gulls were also starting their nesting activities. Sea conditions were very hazy so not much was seen in the distance, but close in there were numerous cormorants and shags.
There was information that an Iceland gull was on the river near Seaton so some of the group headed off to try to track it down. The Axe held plenty of gulls and a considerable time was spent searching through the flocks with no success. Something then put all the birds up and they headed down the river, followed by the birdwatchers. Again, there was no sighting, but most of the gulls headed upstream again. Making their way back up to the cars the birders were informed that the Iceland gull had been there "just a minute ago", so another diligent search was conducted.
Eventually, after a great deal of effort, the bird was located. A first winter Iceland gull, identified by its generally clear white plumage with no black wing markings and its dark-tipped bill with a pinkish base. A really good bird to end the day.