A Glaucous Gull has been roosting alone at Cant Clough Reservoir over much of the last week - it comes into roost about 4pm and then just leaves after sunrise. I had to make a visit to Burnley so I decided to make a short trip. I went to the wrong reservoir at first - Hurstwood but Cant Clough was only ten minutes away. There is a bit of a walk up but as soon as the reservoir comes into view so did the white winger.
It looks like the bird is much closer in size to a Herring Gull than a Great Black-Back. I would have thought Iceland Gull at first glance but the bill is big. An interesting couple of days with Gulls - got my second British record of Iceland Gull yesterday and today got my second British record of a Glaucous Gull. Like a football match 2 -2. Let us hope I do not have to wait another 5 years to see either species in Britain again. Where does it spend the day?
Only you could go to the wrong res..! I said right track not left.. Might have to pop up when i get chance, but it will have moved on by then with my luck !!
Thanks for the comments on the photographs. Actually I asked someone at the car park and they pointed to that one. I was emaciated by the time I got back.
Definitely worth the visit - keep an eye on ELOC. If someone sees it leave the roost I am sure it would come back to roost too.
As some of you may already know a Glaucous Gull was found dead at the reservoir a few days back. Most probably this bird. Not surprised to be honest - it explains why it did not look so big.