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Very much a 'birder's photo' but at least it features one of West Bay's iconic 'red baskets' as @tombrereton.bsky.social would call it. Juv Sabine's Gull was well worth getting wet for in this evening's rain. Off the end of the West Pier. 😎 With thanks to Tom for the shout.
#DorsetBirds

Juv Sabine's Gull against backdrop of grey sea. Bird is miniscule in the photo. On the right is metal 'red basket' on red pole, just creeping into shot.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · 29d

Thanks Martin. 😊👍

Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 9

Cogden bushes dead quiet this morning but plenty of birds offshore - mostly milling around it seemed - including double figures of Balearic Shearwater (25+ in one scan) and Med Gull; also 7 Ringed Plovers on the beach.
#DorsetBirds

2 Balearic Shearwaters in flight over a rough, blue-grey sea; a Black-headed Gull against the sky. All birds very small in the image.

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 9

Spurn must be as likely as anywhere to get a Wryneck this weekend! 😄
Hope you see one. 👍

Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 8

A week of ups and downs. Mostly ups...
#DorsetBirds

A Week in the Life...

As a fully retired old-age pensioner there is now no logistical reason why I cannot go birdwatching almost every day. I guess there mus...

notquitescilly2.blogspot.com

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 8

Lovely! Funnily enough, increasing regularity doesn't make them any less appealing. Beauties all! 😍

Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 7

Thought I'd try your image in Google Lens too
All I can say is: DO NOT eat anything based on what an ID app tells you! 😂

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 7

That's one of my pics, Paul. Ridiculously tame. Missing tail feathers made the ID debate even more fun! 😄

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 6

325 Balearics and 210 'commic' Terns (including 6+ definite Arctics) E past Seaton by 07:50. Movement had pretty much fizzled out by then, but nevertheless amazing numbers for here.
#DevonBirds

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Sep 4

Given recent events in and around Lyme Bay, thought there should be a decent chance of a Grey Phalarope at Cogden this afternoon. A bit of effort produced two, though strictly speaking one was too distant to ID to species. Lovely. 😎
#DorsetBirds

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 31

Summer ends on a high note...
#DorsetBirds

Summer Swansong

So that's summer done. August especially has passed in a blur, with few opportunities for bush-bashing at Cogden, or much else really. ...

notquitescilly2.blogspot.com

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 31

'...ripsnorter...'
Yep! 👏😄

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 31

Time flies! My first ever was on a field next to Queen Mother Res in October '87, about ten days after the big storm. I'd been on Scilly since 17th, and it was the only Sabine's left of several that had been wrecked in W London...

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 31

Thanks, Martin. 😊👍

Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 31

Admittedly on my 'outside chance' radar this morning, but this is still the first Lyme Bay Sabine's Gull I've found in 20-odd years living here. And very nice it was too. 😄
Cogden, #DorsetBirds

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Reposted by Gavin Haig

Mike Morse @bexbirder.bsky.social · Aug 31

Juv Sabine's Cogden found b.y @notquitescilly.bsky.social it flew east at around 9.00am...

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 31

Ha ha! No chance! 😄 Terrific shot! 😍

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 25

Remember it well. Did tick Tawny Pipit and Bill Oddie though. 😄

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 25

No, I don't think you have, Steve. 😁

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Gavin Haig @notquitescilly.bsky.social · Aug 16

Delighted to discover a juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe Estuary while on pre-Birdwatching Tram recce this afternoon.
Thought, 'nice if that stays for later', convinced it wouldn't.
It did!
Needless to say, punters thrilled out of their boots by the brown thing.
#UKbirding

Juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull among Herring Gulls on estuary mud/gravel at 17:07

Juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull back-on, at an angle, up to its belly in water, wowing the Seaton Birdwatching Tram punters at 19:23

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