Is Johnn McGowan's record the first for Victoria?
Hope someone has been able to confirm, photo and write up for BARC.
Michael Norris
17 July
On Sunday 17 July at about 1.30 pm on the Strand at Willamstown there was a
flock of Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae with an immature Black-headed
Gull Larus ridibundus. John was within 5 metres of the flock. Around 20
Silver Gulls were on a lawned area and the Black-headed Gull was with them.
None of the Silver Gulls were feeding, but the Black-headed was clearly
fossicking in the grass. John believes this bird allowed him so close
because the remainder of the flock (all Silver Gulls) demonstrated their
usual confidence around people.
1. It was the same size as the Silver Gulls, but seemed finer built
2. Two dusky bands were evident on its head one part forming an 'ear
spot' and the scaly rufous brown colouring on the wings were very obvious.
3. It lifted its left wing for about one minute and allowed me to
clearly see the dusky colouring of the underwing.
John watched it for about 10 minutes and it wandered away with some Silver
Gulls. He did not see it fly. John lived (and birded) in England and so is
familiar with the common Black-headed Gull over there. Thanks John McGowan.
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