In April 2017, Tom Spellar found a Caspian Gull on the main lake in Fairlands Valley, which I duly went down to see and photograph. It had been ringed in Germany (X307) the previous year and had been seen earlier in the year around the Thames and at Amwell.
It was seen again last year briefly and turned up again as a rather smart third winter bird on Sunday. Unfortunately thanks to several glasses over dinner I wasn't in a condition to visit. It was seen yesterday for much of the day before turning up in the Amwell evening gull roost so I was hopeful it would reappear again today and was happy to receive some reports late morning.
I left work a bit earlier than usual and arrived at 3.15 pm. A quick scan of the main lake revealed three Herring Gulls and the Caspian sitting on its favourite buoy. Two Great Crested Grebes, two Cormorants and a few Common Gulls were among the large number of Black headed Gulls and Canada Geese. The Caspian flew of at 3.30 heading towards the Town Centre so walked around the lake bumping into a hopeful birder and gave her the bad news. However the Caspian reappeared briefly from the north, drifted over the houses to the east and then continued south, presumably heading towards the Lee Valley.
I carried on round the and quickly checked the adjacent lake without finding anything of note, but not being dressed for the rather bitter cold wind had no intention of lingering longer than necessary. Assuming it sticks around I am hoping to get a few photos of it-I had intended to bring the camera with me today but completely forgot to pack it this morning.
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