Sunday 26 February 2012

Ferry Cross The Mersey - Gerry & the Pacemakers

Although I made a return to the ferry in pursuit of the Relict Gull again today, it was once again without success. However, there were a couple of added bonuses for my efforts which made the de-tour from my course to Seoul and onward well worth it. The weather remains exactly the same, cold and dry, so good conditions for birding and first up before the Ferry left port was this

Common Gull Sp which could be simply canus, the American species Mew or better still the sub-species Kamchatka.

This is well outside of my Comfort Zone

but if there are any of you Gullaholics out there willing to give it a go I'd be most pleased to hear from you (captbagsybtinternet.com). Most of the day was spent around the docks and coastal area of Incheon, but there was time to take a look around back on the Island.

Eastern Spot-billed Ducks were still much in evidence, taking to the wing at the slightest disturbance

but never moving far from the mud flats before settling again.

Brown-eared Bulbul have already featured but thought this a nice shot of one having just found dinner.

Don't seem to be able to get away from Black-tailed Gull either, thinking this detail is stunning.

The Great Crested Grebe was also just off the sea wall again, but today close enough to secure a recognisable photo,

as was the Oystercatcher. Many dozens of the shellfish pickers are at work on the low tides, and if the piles of debris on the shore are anything to go by then the main quarry are Oysters and cockles.

Another new bird for the trip list was Black-headed Gull

which some will realise started a few heavy heartbeats when first 'picked up' at a distance!

Like buses, once one arrives so does another. The third new bird to be added to the Trip List today was again a Gull

another beauty as far as Im concerned, Slaty-backed Gull seen here standing in front of (what else) a Black-winged Gull.

and a couple of flight shots.

The bus back runs via the Airport where stands this sculpture. Not quiet sure what it represents but a blurred shot through through the window was thought worthwhile - maybe not!

The 'Trip List' So Far

EASTERN GREAT TIT, BROWN-EARED BULBUL, DAURIAN REDSTART, TREE SPARROW, COMMON MAGPIE, YELLOW-THROATED BUNTING, COMMON PHEASANT, ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE, COMMON SHELDUCK, EASTERN BUZZARD, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, CARRION CROW, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, GREAT CORMORANT, GREAT CRESTED GREBE, bLACK-TAILED GULL, VEGA GULL, bLACK-HEADED GULL, MONGOLIAN GULL?, FERAL PIGEON, BEAN GOOSE, SLATY-BACKED GULL, VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILL, LONG-TAILED TIT, VARIED TIT, MARSH TIT, COMMON RAVEN, EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, GOLDCREST, EASTERN SPOT-BILLED DUCK, MALLARD, RELICT GULL

Trip Total 33 - World Lifers 4