Ynysyfro delivers a Xmas Prezzie!

'PSEEP!' A single, shrill siren call rang around the lower basin. And there, on the exposed mud shone the dazzling supercilium and belly on a chunky monkey of a pipit that had no earthly business in a muddy hole just north of Newport. A bona fide Ynysyfro mega.

OOOOOOOF!!!

OOOOOOOSH!!!

AAAAAAARGH!!!

KAPOW!!!

The .MOV engine in the iPhone has done all kinds of weird shizzle to the contrast and sharpening, and these are quick and dirty screenshots, but it is quite a well-marked bird, check out those mantle stripes.

Finally, Caspian falls

So far, my only 'in-the-flesh' view of the Caspian Gull in Bettws. Arrived just in time to see all the gulls take to the air and drift off. I thought the underwing looked too dark (not helped by overhead conditions [rain, dull as dishwater] and under-exposure) and the tail a bit too michahellis-like but LGs, much better, photographs of the bird on the deck appear to show a Gibbins, et al. (2010; 2011) proof Caspian. Phew! Finally, a glaring hole on the Gwent list plugged. Well played SP.    

It just keeps on coming back

Adult Mediterranean Gull, Lyne Road, Crindau, Newport.