26 Feb 2015

Saunders's Gulls - coming into breeding plumage

Saunders's Gull

Saunders's Gull

Saunders's Gull
At this time of the year the Saunders's Gulls (several dozen) here in HK are getting into their breeding plumage, while the more numerous (several hundred) Black-headed Gulls are still very much in non-breeding plumage. 

But then, the Black-headeds have further to go to breed from here. 

Also on the Deep Bay tideline:

Common Redshank

Black-tailed Godwit


Koels are calling every day now, spring must be here !


11 comments:

  1. I've only ever seen the gull in immature plumage, looks great here!

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    1. Thanks, Stu - they're at their finest just about now.

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  2. It's certainly a beautiful gull. Good shots as usual, John!

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    1. Thanks, Mun ! Not many gulls could be called "elegant" but Saunders's is surely one of them.

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  3. Love the flight shots here, John. You've really got them posing, especially that second image of the gull. We get a dozen or two Black-headed Gulls from about now until the end of April and that's enough to make me happy. I think they are quite nice especially in their breeding gear. The Saunders is certainly an attractive gull.

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    1. Hi Russell, luckily they came quite close to the hide the other day..

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  4. Very impressive. There is something about a Saunders's Gull that would make the Colonel proud.

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  5. They're a neat-looking gull. It must be wonderful to be seeing signs of spring too.

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    1. Sonja, Saunders's is very good-looking, I agree.

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  6. A wonderful gull - I would love to see it one day.

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