Gull day in Bray

The cold front last week apparently caused a very rapid drop in sea temperature, with a devastating effect on large numbers of sea creatures. The beach north of Bray harbour was full of large gulls feeding on the large numbers of fish and squid that were being washed up. Highlights were a pair of Glaucous Gulls and a Ring-billed Gull.

In the harbour itself the long-staying Ring-billed Gull showed very well. Here it's posing nicely with a Common Gull.

Bothe this and the next are first winter Glaucous Gull. This individual is similar to the bird I saw at Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght last week, though it seems less well marked, and appears to be developing a pale bill-tip.

A much paler bird than the previous one, probably due to wear.