Iceland Gull saves a poor day

On the 2nd January, a check of Lake Lothing from the railway bridge initially revealed only a Redshank and a Kingfisher flying over. Nothing at Oulton Broad. Late afternoon, 2pm I parked by Hotel Hatfield (or Best Western, the chain that has taken it over) and I walked over to the South Pier, I was soon joined by Andrew E and then Rob Wil. We saw an adult Shag fly down the channel and into the harbour mouth where it then flew out and heading north! Andrew poined out sadly 2 dead Shags on the steps (half way down the steps) at the far end of the Pier (the one heading down along and down from the north side) victims probably of the recent storm. Another 1st winter Shag flew down the channel headed out to sea but thius one flew south. The ever eagle- eyed Andrew spotted the fine 2nd winter Iceland Gull amongst an assemblage of Gulls by the jetty extending out from the fish dock where we were looking diagonally north- east from our vantage point. Just to the left of a metal morring post. Typically pale biscuit cloured with white wing tips.