Bonaparte's at WWT

Monday 5th May 2014
Adult summer Bonaparte's Gull, South Lake, WWT Slimbridge
It didn't start well. I arrived at c 9.18am South Lake hide seconds, approximately ten, before it flew off. Gutted. The Little Gull was there again; and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull. I got some consolation in a male Garganey on the Bottom New Piece, a Greenshank on Top New Piece, and a Little Ringed Plover on the Rushy. Still no more news. The BONAPARTE'S GULL waited until I had given up, and was in my way home, before turning back up on South Lake. Quick 'U' turn. Got past a tractor convoy on the A38, an oncoming caravan on Kingston Road, long queue at WWT reception, and crowded boardwalk. Finally, arrived at the hide, and it was still there. Phew! A couple of record shots here of it asleep. It stayed asleep like this for some time, popping it's head up very briefly, then back to sleep. It then flew off again. And relax! The phone-scoped photo below gives a size comparison with the nearby Black-headed Gulls (very impressed with the camera on my new S4 by the way).
 And here's a much better photo by Paul Taylor showing the gull in all its glory:

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