A very tame first winter little gull was present at Chew from at least 27 January. I went to photograph it on 29th. The bird would fly within a few metres of the public, and took pieces of thrown bread.

The gull looked most natural when it was flying against the reed beds at Herriot's Pool.

The bird was very acrobatic in flight, at times pattering on the water surface.

It showed a black tail band, with the middle two tail feathers having white edges, making a V-shape.

The gull settled on the water for long periods.

An iridescent rook to finish.

Back to January 2006