Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Glaucous Gull on groyne no.25 Waxham Beach

On Wednesday 25th February, after I finished work at 2pm I drove straight to Money Lane at Waxham parked up and took the path to the beach, entering the concrete steps, I walked right (south) for 3/4 of a mile going through groynes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25. But initially there was no sign of the Glaucous Gull. The groynes were made up of large rocks extending out to sea and these barriers were attractive to a large number of Grey Seals, at least 500+ , in groups of 50-80, who had gathered on the beach. I checked all the groynes and the beach and I couldn't yet see the Glaucous. I met another chap who walked up from the south and as we were talking, I could see a large very pale biscuit coloured Gull, the excellent second winter Glaucous Gull flying south and it settled on the end of groyne number 25. It had a large pink bill with black at the tip. A immature bird but the pale iris and paler bill indicates second winter/ 3rd calendar year bird. I can only assume it was on the beach as I walked up and perhaps concealed by the Seals. It perched on a rock right at the end of groyne 25 and spent the nexr hour here before it eventually flew north and onto the beach by the shoreline. It probably had plenty of food to feast on as I saw at least 1 dead Seal pup carcass. On the wayback walking in the dunes, I saw 30 Linnet, gathering on some gorse, a female Stonechat and walking back along Money Lane, I saw another female Stonechat and heard the 'tic' of a Yellowhammer but the bird was not seen.

2 comments:

Tim Allwood said...

Hi Peter,

The Glauc is a 3cy bird (or second winter in old money). Among other features, the iris is pale and the bill tip is becoming pale too. Nice photos!

Tim

Peter Ransome said...

Thanks Tim for the clarification not really had a chance to check the age thoroughly as I have been exceptionally busy at work and working late too