Gull on Trawlermen last night.

griffgrouch · #1 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 05:28 PM

I was watching this program last night about Scottish fishermen and I saw a gull on there. It was normal like gull, grey back, black primaries, but it had a very black eye and black legs.

On another topic. The gull nesting on my chimney have been unsuccessful for the third year running. They used to nest two doors down, but the chicks kept falling down the roof.

They decided to try my chimney stack. I think they fell down next door's pots.

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 05:42 PM

Sounds like a Kittiwake!

solus · #3 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 05:43 PM

Kittiwake? Small, pretty things.

Wingtips look like they've been dipped in black paint with no white patches or "mirrors" like Herring or Common Gulls.

griffgrouch · #4 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 06:16 PM

Of course, I am getting rusty.

caernerch · #5 (**permalink**) 15-06-2010, 11:34 PM

the one I saw on deck looked like a fulmar to me
caernerch

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 16-06-2010, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caernerch

the one I saw on deck looked like a fulmar to me
caernerch

I didn't see the programme, but Fulmars don't have black primaries. Perhaps both species featured; certainly the OP's description sounds classic Kittiwake.

griffgrouch · #7 (**permalink**) 16-06-2010, 07:06 PM

In response to my second paragraph. In himndsight I remember the gulls on my chimney going berserk just before dusk on saturday night, their alarm calls were very loud.
Would crows take the young?

leon_heller · #8 (**permalink**) 17-06-2010, 02:40 AM

I can't see that happening if one or both of the parents were around, as they would be. I've got a pair nesting on my balcony with two chicks, and they never leave them unattended.

griffgrouch · #9 (**permalink**) 17-06-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon_heller

I can't see that happening if one or both of the parents were around, as they would be. I've got a pair nesting on my balcony with two chicks, and they never leave them unattended.

All the same, they were there, now they're not.

Most strange.

solus · #10 (**permalink**) 17-06-2010, 10:06 AM

Griffgrouch - you already said in your first post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffgrouch

They decided to try my chimney stack. I think they fell down next door's pots.

That would certainly explain their disappearance! The parents would be frantic if their chicks suddenly vanished down a black hole with no way of reaching them, especially if they could still hear their calls.