Kumlien's Gulls in Pembrokeshire - the story so far (18th February).

What an amazing winter for Gulls in Pembrokeshire with an absolute Kumlien's fest delighting locals and visitors alike. So far there have been 10 records, 9 more birds than have ever been recorded here before.Before this winter Kumlien's Gull had only once been recorded in Pembrokeshire, a 2nd cal year bird found by Dave Astins at Llys-y-fran Reservoir in 1998. Two main sites have been involved in this recent period, Newgale and Llys-y-fran with one more record from the Teifi Estuary. Those of us who have pursued these birds have learned a lot and we'll look back at this winter in wonder.

Kumlien's No 1:   A dark juvenile at Newgale, close to Thayer's in terms of the Iceland/Kumlien's/Thayer's complex  Jan 8th - Jan 17th (M Young-Powell et al)

No 1 Photo Bob Haycock 

Kumlien's No 2:   A showy long-staying adult at Newgale with, later on, a missing outer secondary in the right wing. Jan 10th - still present at the time of writing - Feb 18th (M Ahmad et al)

No 2 Photo Mike Young-Powell

Kumlien's No 3: The first 2nd cal year bird found in the roost at Llys-y-fran on the evening of  Jan 19th (D J Astins et al)

 No 3 Photo Dave Astins

Kumlien's No 4: The second 2nd cal year bird in the roost at Llys-y-fran on the evening of Jan 19th (D J Astins et al)

No 4 Photo Dave Astins

Kumlien's No 5: The third 2nd cal year bird in the roost at Llys-y-fran on the evening of Jan 19th (D J Astins, B Southern et al)

No 5 Photo Brian Southern

Kumlien's No 6: A fourth 2nd cal year bird in the roost at Llys-y-fran on the evening of Jan 30th (D J Astins, P K Grennard et al)

No 6 Photo Brian Southern

Kumlien's No 7: A 2nd cal year Kumlien's type Gull at the Teifi Marshes Feb 9th (R Dobbins, J G Green) possibly the same bird seen by Arfon Williams on Feb 16th

Kumlien's No 8:  A second adult with paler primary markings (and without missing secondary) often seen in company with the long-staying adult at Newgale  Feb 15th - Feb 18th at least (C Hurford, M Young-Powell et al)

No 8 Photo Mike Young-Powell

Kumlien's No 9: A pale biscuit-coloured juvenile with a pale head, found at Newgale and seen on the Marsh and later at the south end of the Beach (G H Rees et al)

No 9 Photo Dave Astins

Kumlien's No 10: A dusky-headed, mid tone 2nd cal yr individual at Newgale Feb 18th at least (M Young- Powell et al)

No 10 Photo M Young-Powell