This day, three years ago, I awoke after a restless night and made prepartions for a fast getaway, in the direction of Patrington Haven some twenty miles from home. An incredible find in the form of a 1st winter IVORY GULL had been made, late the previous afternoon and was seen to fly out to the estuary. Normally residing in the high Arctic, an Ivory Gull is a very rare occurence in the UK and one I did not want to miss! Arriving by the pumping station as it became light, I found a few birders already there. It wasn't long before a steady procession of birders were making there way to the pumping station, where the gull had been seen eating fish scraps, perhaps left by an angler on the day before. Among the birders settling in was the late Martin Garner, laden down with carrier bags containing fish - whole ones at that! Martin laid the fish around the enclosed area we were hoping the gull might return to, making a tempting banquet. Martin had the foresight, the experience and certainly the hope that the Ivory Gull would come in again. As it turned out, his actions provided countless numbers of birders with point-blank views of this beautiful rarity. No doubt that was one of his intentions too, to provide and share his enjoyment with others. I was standing with Graham Catley when he picked up what was best described as a 'brilliant white' gull, flying towards us from Welwick. Flying low along the saltmarsh and down the drain to the pumping station, the young Ivory Gull circled overhead a few times - it was a 'holding your breath moment'. Martin's fish proved too much to ignore and in seconds, the gull was on the ground and consuming the fish. The 1w Ivory Gull remained for a couple of days, as I recall, feeding on the supply of fish or resting on the estuary. It was a beautifully marked gull with the black tips along the wings and tail, making it my most memorable sighting of 2013.
Cheryl Hewins
10/1/2017 04:33:23 pm
That's a lovely story about Martin Garner. In the sort time I've shown some serious interest in birding I have met some lovely people who are so keen to share their knowledge with anyone who shows interest. Such input is invaluable to 'newbies' and I for one am so grateful for their generosity. Comments are closed.
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