Almost immediately I caught sight, through the scope, of an aggresive gull some 400 yards away on the water. Beak, white head, sloping forehead and general demeanour made me think caspian. One had been present for several days but it normally left the roost before returning late afternoon. I pointed it out to a chap who had just arrived for whom it would be a lifer. Best get it right, I thought.
However, after about half an hour it obligingly flew in front of us and showed all features you would expect of a caspian. Still too far off for a good photo, but several here.
Other birds around were wigeon (100+) shoveler, and usual suspects. A wander to the next lake, Tumbling Bay, gave views of the overwintering scaup. Now getting into breeding gear and no longer the dull brown bird that it was upon arrival in late 2012.
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