Double Iceland

Normally as I approach Cotham Landfill gulls can be seen circling over the site from some distance; it was therefore bad news that the air above the landfill looked to be completely empty this morning. I decided to drive round to the front of the landfill to see if it was open, but came across a big group of gulls in the field south of the restored landfill, between Cotham village and the cyclepath.

Lots of gulls...

The flock was compact and many birds were hidden over a ridge in the field, but luckily two good birds were at the front; both Iceland Gulls, an adult (my first adult Iceland of the winter here), and a pale 1st winter - I'm not quite sure if this is the 'usual' bird or another. The rarest bird, however, was an adult Lesser Black-back.

1st winter Iceland Gull

Adult Iceland Gull

Some of the gulls then moved over onto the landfill, where I picked out both the Icelands again, but nothing else. The light was pretty bad so I gave up after a while to go and play hockey. A little later, Steve Dunn had the adult Glauc, as well as the 1st winter Iceland on the landfill, just going to show that birds come and go throughout the day.