The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Putative adult Baltic Gull again in the roost tonight, from c1845 on the West end of the Pit.

With Phil Hyde and Colin Davies

Regards,

Ben

Ben,
I wonder how many Lincs birders have seen this interesting bird ?

Phil

Not sure if I have missed a post giving directions etc. And best place to view from, but perhaps more birders would visit if it was made clear. Not everyone knows where the roost is.
Is it still just an interesting bird or has a definate ID been made by anyone yet? This could also be why few birders have made the effort.
What is the classification of Baltic Gull? Is it just a sub species of Lesser-black Backed Gull?
Post some directions and I'll be down.

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http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus) is still regarded as a race of Lesser Black-backed Gull and confirming ID is problematic.
I believe there have been only 2 accepted records for the UK - both ringed birds.
The N Hykeham bird certainly looks a great candidate for a Baltic but unless it is carrying a readable ring, is trapped and/or a feather obtained and analysed to confirm then the chances of it being accepted as one are looking slim.
I suspect the above are the main reasons it's not receiving that much attention from birders.

What a great find though and having seen the photos, a great looking larid, Baltic or not.

Regards

Chris

Here is a map to show the easiest way to get to the spot.. Parking is in the car park for the memorial hall..

As you walk across the sports field you come up to Millennium Pit, hang left and follow the path. As the path starts to bend right there is a cut through which takes you on to the saling club pit (Apex). Go left and keep walking past the entrance gate for the sailing club.. There are houses backing up to Apex and if you are lucky the end fishing spot at the end of the grass path will be available.. It is usually the best spot to view the roost from and no doubt Ben be about who will be able to help you get on the bird.. It is best to be there just as the sun is going down.. I expect Ben would be happy to meet up with anyone who wants to go..


Baltic-Map by Col Scott, on Flickr

Thanks for the directions Colin, followed them tonight but only a few gulls seen from the fishing spot. There were a lot more on Millennium Green but too dark to pick anything out.

_________________
http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

Would have replied sooner had I known/been able to, don’t have internet access on my phone so have only just seen this. Thanks Col for providing details.

The roost on Apex Pit which started 2 weeks ago is unpredictable and tricky to observe to say the least. The Pit itself is very large, c220 acres, has a track running only ¾ of its length and the roost can pretty much be anywhere (West end tonight) and can start at any point in the last hour of light, for example last night birds started gathering at around 1820 whereas tonight they arrived virtually in the dark. Also to make it even more complicated, tonight there was also a separate roost on Millennium Green for the first time.

Regarding access/parking; Hykeham Sailing Club leases the site and runs an Angling Club, there is no public access as such but the presence of birders so far is kindly tolerated, the site is accessed via the West side of Millennium Green. Car parking would have to be found in the North Hykeham area and the car park Colin suggests is a good idea.

And as for the bird itself; Chris has put it into perspective perfectly, thanks. I didn’t find it (sadly!) though, was just present when it was picked out by Dean Nicholson.

Regards,

Ben

Large pre roost tonight on Millennium Green;

Baltic Gull 1 (ad.) Putative
Caspian Gull 1 (ad.)
Yellow-legged Gull 15+ (13 ad., 3w and 1w)

Regards,

Ben