A preferred Caspian Gull that returned to the identical London pond for not less than six years has not been seen this winter.
The gull had turn out to be an everyday winter fixture within the north-east of the capital at Eagle Pond, Snaresbrook, and arguably deserved the title of being Britain’s most dependable Caspian Gull.
It was first seen at Eagle Pond as a third-winter in autumn 2017 and was significantly approachable, permitting shut examine. Interestingly, a first-winter hen that appeared at close by Wanstead Flats in winter 2015-16 seems very related in stature to the Eagle Pond hen, and the suspicion is that the sightings discuss with the identical individual. It was not seen at both Wanstead Flats or Eagle Pond in winter 2016-17.
The Snaresbrook Caspian Gull in January 2023 (Tony Brown).
Eagle Pond has been a preferred cease for birders within the capital for the reason that Caspian Gull first appeared there six winters in the past. The hen was an everyday customer and was usually the one giant gull on the pond, mixing with the extra quite a few Black-headed and Common Gulls. It was reported continuously all through final winter, with the final sighting on BirdGuides approaching 4 March 2023. However, to the frustration of native birders, there was no signal of it this winter regardless of common checks.
For all of the latest sightings of Caspian Gull throughout the nation, go online to birdguides.com/sightings – or purchase a hen information subscription to maintain up to the mark with observations nationwide.
The Caspian Gull first appeared at Snaresbrook within the autumn of 2017 (Paul Chamberlain).
