Sabine's Gull surprise -lifer! (1 Viewer)

[Den]

There I was, quietly watching waders in Old Moor RSPB Wath Ings hide when a very observant videodigiscoper found a stange small gull. It was quickly identified as a Sabines as two in the hide were familiar with the species, some video footage and images were obtained(only after asking everyone to stop rushing around the hide so a stable image could be obtained). It luckily landed on the water and I feverishly tried to sketch it and get a few notes down. Everywhere mobile phones were whipped out as the news was spread. A number of unhappy locals who had gone to Spurn were contacted but the gull flew off S after about 10 min. A birder arrived breathless from the centre after hearing the news and a little later a couple came in bearing his wallet and diary that he had dropped in haste! The hide had began to resemble a sardine tin with all the birders rushing in to see the departing gull, so I moved into the next one thinking the bird had gone. A few minutes later it came over Wath Ings again and then departed strongly West, only to be replaced by a juv Arctic tern! What a lovely delicate bird, tiny against even Black-headed gulls. What a day!!! I hope some of the images get posted. I think it was the first record for Old Moor and the second record for Yorkshire after the 1956(?) one at Wintersett. I was only 5 then! Anyone else seen one of these super gulls?

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Yes - but only on the sea!

An excellent inland record.

 

[Ruby]

Hi Den,

Excellent - well done....I am just a wee bit envious of you getting what sounds like quite a good view...

I too have a Sabine's Gull story from yesterday....

Out with some friends, seawatching at Shell Ness in Kent, and shortly after sun-up we saw an interesting looking Gull flying towards us from some distance. As it approached, we id-ed it as a Kittiwake.

As it got a bit closer (just to decent id-ing distance!!) we lost it in the reflection of the sun on the water and couldn't locate it again.

A few hours later, some birders who had been around the other side of the point came round to see how we were doing and said "Did you get the Sabine's?"

Much gnashing of teeth - we know the other guys and have no doubt that their better view had enabled them to correctly id the Gull.

For me, Sabine's would be a lifer, but (even though I got a reasonable view of the bird) I can't really bring myself to tick it, as I was convined that what I was looking at was a Kittiwake!! Doh!!!!

 

[pauco]

Nice one Den. Just goe's to show, you never can tell with birding! glad you had such a good day. :t: :t:
bert.

 

[Pie Face]

I think it was the first record for Old Moor and the second record for Yorkshire after the 1956(?) one at Wintersett. I was only 5 then! Anyone else seen one of these super gulls?

Hi Den

I think you mean't to say second for the Barnsley area. Sab's Gull is a scarce migrant on the East and North Yorkshire. Regular locations include Filey, Flamborough and Spurn.

Mark

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Den,

Pictures are now posted posted on Birdguides

 

[Den]

Hi Den

I think you mean't to say second for the Barnsley area. Sab's Gull is a scarce migrant on the East and North Yorkshire. Regular locations include Filey, Flamborough and Spurn.

Mark

Thanks for putting me right. The bird certainly caused a deal of excitement among those on the reserve when it landed on Wath Ings!! I'm glad a lot of people got to see it in the short while it was there. I made notes but my normally reasonable sketching ability went completely to pot!!

 

[Andrew]

I can only imagine the delight as I have yet to see my first Sabine's but I hope to put that right soon. I am reading all that is said about Sabine's on BF with Jane Turner's advice on another thread somewhere being very good.

 

[Pie Face]

I can only imagine the delight as I have yet to see my first Sabine's but I hope to put that right soon. I am reading all that is said about Sabine's on BF with Jane Turner's advice on another thread somewhere being very good.

Isn't there a thread somewhere Andrew where embarassed birders admit to seeing much commoner species before such megas like for example err Soft Plumaged Petrel ?

Mark

 

[Andrew]

Isn't there a thread somewhere Andrew where embarassed birders admit to seeing much commoner species before such megas like for example err Soft Plumaged Petrel ?

Mark

I'll let you in on a secret, ain't seen a Tawny Owl yet!




Doh!

 

[Pie Face]

I'll let you in on a secret, ain't seen a Tawny Owl yet!




Doh!

Next time you're up this way Andrew I'll take you to a roosting one if you like.

Mark

 

[Andrew]

Thanks for that, now looking up to see where Junction 31 of the M1 is!

 

[Pie Face]

Thanks for that, now looking up to see where Junction 31 of the M1 is!

It's Sheffield Andrew.

Mark

 

[Andrew]

I am hoping to nip up to see my mate in Sheffield in Novemeber so a Tawny Owl may be possible!

 

[Reader]

I have seen all bar one of my Sabine's from the Scillonian Pelagic but did manage one about 5 years ago on the coast of Lincolnshire. Superb gulls and one I would love to see this year.

Congrats on being in the right place at the right time.

 

[John o'Sullivan]

Nice record. Have seen a number of sabs over the years all but one on seawatches, inc a flock of 8 off st ives the sunday of the big blow in 83. There was however one in gwent in april a few years ago that hung around for some time in a flooded field. As it was my birthday on the sunday I insisted the whole family came with me as my birthday treat to see this wonderful graceful elegant picturesque bird as I built it up to them. Having trudged across wet muddy fields we got to the bird stood in the lagoon. Even to me it was dissapointing, my wife who is almost totally disinterested in birds turned to me with a withering look and announced THAT IS A SEAGULL! I have to admit it looked rubbish. Notwithstanding they are still one of my favourite birds, amazingly tern like in flight. John.