A Cape Gull at Grafham Water

8th August 2022

The Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus is found across the Southern Hemispere and the nominate race L.d dominicanus is found in South America, parts of Australia and New Zealand. There are four subspecies, one of which is the Cape Gull L.d vetula, found in South Africa.

On the 7th August a Cape Gull was reported at Grafham Water which if accepted will be the first record in the UK. The key features of the Cape Gull are the heavy but relatively short bill, white tail, grey-green legs and a dark eye.

The bird seemed to favour the railings by the tower on the dam wall which made life easy for the throng of twitchers and photographers.

It would occasionally go for a fly-about.....................

.............................before settling on the water and just drifting around as gulls do.

At one point it found a slice of bread on the dam wall and took it to the water's edge to soften it.

This attracted a rather brave Black-headed Gull which was seen off in no uncertain terms.

Well, that was unexpected!!!!