Update on recent stuff

Sent the video of the gull I saw two days ago to the men who know. Jörgen Bernsmo reports back:

"The condition of this bird is not the best and the pattern of the feathers unnatural. Without seeing the primaries it´s difficult to tell its age but I would say 4 cy+ and most likely a HG. The dense markings on the head outrules any YLG and the jizz of the head and bill is clearly HG to me. atlantis may show dense streaking on the head but as far as we know they do not occur here. The overall jizz is also HG but you need to see the primaries to tell for sure!"

And finally sad news today from yesterday's great grey owl. It keeled over and died in front of a small gallery of birders this morning. Just squeaked that one in, it was in very poor condition apparently.

Back in Sweden

Knackered after Poland, I managed to get out for a couple of hours in the early morning. Walked between Lervik and Ranarpstrand and got some good birds. Finch migration was going full bore with flocks of chaffinches passing continually and at many levels. Occasionally buzzy brambling calls and skylark were in amongst them. A red-throated pipit called once on its way south. On the ground got grey plover (2 1K birds) and grey wagtail (2 1K birds). Managed to read another Danish mute swan darvic - which is always nice, even if they have not come far.

The nice warm feeling engendered by being back on-patch changed when I got to Ranarpsstrand and noticed this...

Usual apologies re quality, but what a bird. Anyone know what it is? Industrial melanism? Structurally quite good for a 'yellow-legged' gull but the plumage! Is it atlantis? Has it just got a dirty face? The real video is much better if anyone wants it let me know.