Local gull fest as the spring ploughing commences ..

With the build up of Mediterranean gulls in Langstone Harbour in preparation for the breeding season, the A3M / A3 corridor becomes a daily commute for these gulls as they head inland to feed on the farmland - as each field goes under the plough.

Although always part of a bigger presence of mixed gull species over flying - the Med gull's piercing and distinctive cry seems to travel further than the other gulls calls, cutting through both the natural and man made soundscape around them.

Despite their daily presence, I never take them for granted and can be found straining my eyes against the glare of the sky looking out for them as they eventually appear over the horizon. When the plough returns to the adjacent fields of White Dirt Farm - it's time to get the camera out. I'm sure the tractor drivers recognise me now, as much as I do them.

On this occasion, as I photographed from the road verge a car stopped beside me. The driver wound his window down, and we discussed the simple pleasures of watching and hearing these charismatic birds, two of which he told me, regularly visit his garden just to the north of here, in search of the scraps he puts out for them. Now that's what I call quality garden listing.

.. "For we're all jolly fellows that follow the plough .." (A Slight Return)

.. "For we're all jolly fellows that follow the plough .."

I arrived home from work today in the mid-afternoon. A simple reward for having endured a 4AM alarm call on behalf of the annual water rail survey at Burton Mill Pond. Walking between the car and the front door my attention was drawn to the high-calling over of Mediterranean gulls (Larus melanocephalus). This in itself is not unusual as I am used to regularly hearing these birds overhead - they appear to favour the A3 corridor for commuting between inland foraging areas and the coast. However, it was obvious something more was happening today - by the sheer volume and intensity of the calls.

Grabbing binoculars I took a quick look out of the patio doors towards the fields of White Dirt Farm and noted with delight a large .. LARGE! .. mixed flock of gulls spread across the acres of farmland. Along with the gulls there were four tractors in the fields .. between them ploughing, sowing and rolling.

At an upstair's window, I set up the 'scope and started to count the med gulls amongst the blackheaded, common and occasional herring gull - heading for an easy 200+ Meds - with more in the far background - the gulls flushed in unison, and the count was prematurely over.

Standing on White Dirt Lane I tried to capture the spectacle of the gulls following the plough to more or less success? Whilst I am still not convinced that my 400mm lens is working properly since it was returned from recent repairs? I am convinced that I need to learn how better to utilise the settings on my camera!

In addition to taking photographs I also recorded a couple of voice memos on the iPhone capturing the dominance of the med gulls within the soundscape.



After that shrill cacophony I will end the Blog with a youtube link to the sweeter melancholy of Kate Rusby's version of the trad. folk song The Jolly Plough Boys:

Kate Rusby "Jolly Plough Boys"