Birding at Hull City centre

I had been told of a Caspian Gull in the city centre and I thought it had been a while since I did some birding in town, so I went for a twitch. The gull had been seen around Princes Quay and the Marina area and I headed that way. There were very few gulls around but I hadn't been waiting long when two Great White Egrets flew over. I first saw they were Grey Herons given their size, and I couldn't believe it when I zoomed in on the photo at the back of my camera. This was only my third sighting of the species in Hull, the first one at Noddle Hill in January 2024.

Great White Egrets flying over town.

A close up of the individual on the left hand side, showing the wider, pale bill and large legs.

The Mediterranean Gull that is a fixture of the Marina and Princes Quay area in winter. There has been one there since at least 2016. This one has got a metal ring and is probably the same returning individual.

Some Blackbirds were feeding on rowans near the Marina.

Common Gull.

One of two Pied Wagtails at the Marina. I counted 5 in town.

Long Tailed tit.

Black-headed Gull.

Dunnock.

A particularly pinkish Black-headed Gull.

I took a long walk around the Marina area and the Humber front and I had almost given up on finding the Caspian Gull when I spotted this gull on Princes Quay just by Ask, so close! A very white head and body, elongated head and long legs are all key identification features of the species, so I'm happy this is it. I managed to take most of the photos I wanted and I moved on to try and get a side photo of the body when it took off.

Caspian Gull immature.

Caspian Gull.

Caspian Gull.

The excitement carried on. Through the morning the feral pigeons had been flushed a few times and I hadn't found the reason for it. As I walked at Queens Gardens, the reason became apparent as a Peregrine barrelled ovehead towards the Guildhall. A complete list of 26 species (six of them gulls!) for the city centre is not bad at all.

Peregrine overhead.

Moorhen.

Lesser Black-backed gull on favourite perch.

A view of Queens Gardens.