Hel Hath No Birdies

July is called Heinäkuu in Finnish, or "Hay/grass/rye" month. On Friday I posted a link to a Facebook group concerning juv Caspian Gull ID. Somewhat of a premonition as on Saturday morning I found this beauty in classic "scenic" conditions. Juv Caspian Gull - That sleek bill. Parking up at the waste pile, I was a little disappointed that the numbers of gulls seemed low. Maybe because it was Saturday, or maybe because of the heat (30°C or so). In recent months the management company had been doing some work, including exposing a gigantic rock mound near the entrance, which the gulls have taken to sitting on. This makes it somewhat more difficult to go through them, as they are above you and at a poor angle. Nonetheless a few birds started to come in to the trash and as a pale bird came in over me I knew I had something good.  It landed straight in with a couple of juv Herring, looking dark and mysterious, with a lovely leafy pat...

I was back in Tampere dump last week for a bit more early summer gulling. A few more Heuglini/LBB (or even pale Baltic) types around this time, of the adult variety. This age group is more problematic when it comes to confidently putting a name to them.  Distinctive primary pattern. Black almost complete across P4 and small black spot on P 3. Baltic of course are always on the menu. The 3 ages of Elvis here. This is the time juv gulls start to make their appearance. Black Headed are always the first to arrive. A few dozen were loafing around, with hundreds of adults. Numbers will increase as juvs leave the breeding lakes. Black Headed Gull - Juvenile. Beautiful things which we tend to take for granted. I found this bird interesting, but heat haze and his persistence at remaining on the roof of this foul smell cesspool building (incredible to see trucks pulling up and dumping semi liquid s...