After the record of the adult Franklin's Gull at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trusts Blashford Lakes on 18th October, there has been much speculation about where the bird would turn up next. When it was re-found on Ibsley Water, at Blashford Lakes on the afternoon of 28th October, there was in part a sense of relief, in that it was still around, but that relief was certainly over-shadowed with frustration as there was no way I could get off work to see it. The bird was watched until dark and therefore there was still hope that it would return again.
Wednesday 29th was my next opportunity, so I left work early and headed down. I was not alone, as many other Hampshire birders had the same idea. The number of gulls was much lower than on the previous day, and then the fog arrived. Slowly it drifted across the lake and before we knew it visibility was down to about 50 metres, with ghostly images of Black-headed Gulls beyond that.
It was going to be difficult for me to get away on Thursday, but when news broke that the bird was once again of Ivy Lake I had to go. The weather conditions were much better as was the light and the bird was once again settled on the water to roost. It was visible from the Tern Hide at the southern end of the lake, but was much closer from the Lapwing hide. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me but Ian Williamson has kindly sent me some of the images that he took of the bird.
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| Franklin's Gull (back bird), Blashford Lakes - October 2014 ( Copyright Ian Williamson) |
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| Franklin's Gull (middle), Blashford Lakes - October 2014 (Copyright Ian Williamson) |
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| Franklin's Gull (middle), Blashford Lakes - October 2014 (Copyright Ian Williamson) |
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| Franklin's Gull (middle), Blashford Lakes - October 2014 (Copyright Ian Williamson) |
For ease of reference I have copied the Blashford Lakes map below, the bird was roosting in front of the Lapwing Hide in the north-east corner of Ibsley Water. It is probably best to arrive on site around 2:30 - 3:00 pm as the bird has been found around that time, or just after and that will give plenty of time before the light drops.
The bird is an adult winter and as I mentioned on a previous post is the second record for Hampshire, the first being in 1970. Interestingly, that bird was found at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trusts Farlington Marshes and was present from 21st February until 16th May.
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