Bonaparte's Gull and Mandarin Duck

[Seabird]

This picture would not have be possible but for the skill and Knowledge of Kas who knew of the bird rough location and knew from her birding skills what to look for.
Looks very simular to a black Headed Gull, is slightly smaller and has a black beak instead of a red beak.
Located on the Thurso River, Thurso.



I wasn't going to post this pic because the Maderin Duck pic was already on the forum.
Kas insisted i did.
This is one of the two on the pond at Thurso who are thought to be escapees.

[WeeBurd]

Stunning pic of the Mandarin, Colin!

[kas]

Great shots there, the Mandarin is fantastic. Lets hope we have the same luck with the cetaceans this year.

[the_count]

I'd heard there was a Bonapartes in thurso but thought it had left already lol.
And I was gonna pop into thurso to get pictures of the mandrins today but the cars off the road ... typical lol

[Kenn]

Lovely pictures as always Colin, But why Bonaparte's Gull?

[gollach]

Lovely pictures as always Colin, But why Bonaparte's Gull?

named after Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a zoologist and nephew of Napoleon

more at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonaparte's_Gull
and
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAbou...rtes_Gull.html

[Kenn]

Many thanks gollach.