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Turnstones and mediterranean gulls at Southend

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 8:59:38 PM

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After the trip to Hainault Forest I headed to Ingrebourne Valley (which was pretty quiet) and then on to Southend. Here I headed up the pier to see if I could find any tame turnstones, and came across one

which had a few friends roosting nearby!

So i tempted them up with a few sausage roll crumbs and one sat on the barrier

ANd then they got so close I had to switch to my wide angle, at which point I went the whole hog and laid on my belly, with pleasing results


When a boat came in, the flock moved off the slope and roosted on the pier

I got a few more shots before I had to leave - next time I'll put more money on my parking ticket!

I could have stayed there all day photographing them but as well as the parking ticket cut off time I managed to wrench nearly all my back muscles while laying down. I recovered mostly but didnt want to tempt fate with a mile long walk back to the pier to complete!

But as a nice bonus back on the sea front I finally managed to pick out a mediterranean gull after checking 100s if not 1000s of black headed gulls in the last few months!

Green Woodpecker at Hainault Forest Country ParkCoots fighting

Comments

Andy WilsonDudley Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:25:10 PM

Wow, never seen so many in one spot.
Nice shots too up

Unregistered user Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:40:54 PM

Anonymous writes: Nice shots Neil. Did you manage to catch up with a Purple Sandpiper at all ? Barry

NeilUkwildlife Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:53:36 PM

Thanks Andy smile

Barry: alas no. I didnt see anything on the pier but pigeons and turnstones. Couldn't see a 'yellow/black inflatable' mentioned on the SE Essex RSPB page and couldn't see naything other than turnstones on the slipway

Unregistered user Wednesday, March 17, 2010 11:36:07 PM

beth writes: theyare all fantastic but i love the 4th photo, and finally a mediteranian gull :) kep up the great work beth

L2D2 Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:40:17 AM

Neil, those are great photos. I especially like the ones you took at eye level. In that one shot, they were really checking you out. Pretty birds. Never seen one though.

Loiscakkleberrylane Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:16:14 AM

The fifth one looks as if they're all pacing back and forth waiting impatiently for a bus!
Very nice shots!

RobinRobinL Thursday, March 18, 2010 6:10:42 PM

Wow, great shots. Weren't you lucky!
I know all about wrenched backs, Hope your's wasn't too bad!

Unregistered user Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:00:52 PM

Fraser Simpson writes: Your wide angle Turnstones are superb Neil! I may have to make a special trip soon. Can you offer any tips/advice on the best spot and how to attract them? Is there much disturbance from other pier users? Thanks very much, Fraser

Unregistered user Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:01:12 PM

Fraser Simpson writes: Your wide angle Turnstones are superb Neil! I may have to make a special trip soon. Can you offer any tips/advice on the best spot and how to attract them? Is there much disturbance from other pier users? Thanks very much, Fraser

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