A new longetivity record perhaps - Med Gull roosts on Wilstone for third consecutive night

WILSTONE RESERVOIR

Dave Bilcock, Steve Rodwell, Roy Hargreaves and I all decided to do the gull roost this evening, despite the bitterly cold conditions. For me, it was the largest number of Black-headed Gulls this January, with some 3,000 individuals roosting (including 5 with chocolate-brown hoods). After a gruelling search, SR finally shouted ''I've got it, I've got the Med'' as light was fading fast at 1639 hours, allowing Dave and I to quickly get on to it. It was the regular first-winter MEDITERRANEAN GULL that Steve had now located three nights-in-a-row - a new record for Med-longetivity at Wilstone (they normally fail to show up on more than two consecutive nights). We enjoyed ten minutes of viewing before it got too dark to see.

There were also 181 COMMON GULLS in the roost, 3 adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and a single juvenile HERRING GULL (DB).

The LITTLE EGRET was also resting on the Drayton Bank, a near-record total of 66 Cormorants roosted (including the ringed bird) and 5 COMMON GOLDENEYE (2 adult drakes) were seen.