I like a challenge, ergo I like gulls! However liking gulls and knowing how to identify them are two very different things. I have muddled through gull identification for many years with very mixed results. It is so easy to get confused by terminology, photographs and text in literature. When Martin Garner informed me that he would be running some Gull Identification Masterclasses across in the Teesmouth area I was very happy. Martin’s credentials speak for them self of course! I have communicated with Martin a good number of times over the years and have also had the pleasure of meeting him on many occasions; he has always been very friendly, helpful and instructive so I knew these gull days would be worth the attendance!
I have now attended three of the Birding Frontiers Gull Masterclasses run by Martin, so I feel fairly qualified to comment on their usefulness!
Martin has a great passion for learning so it is great to hear him evangelise about the accessibility and enjoyment we can gain through the challenges of gull identification. The masterclass always starts with a general introduction to ageing of the commoner species of large white-headed gulls with information of the scarcer species thrown in for good measure. From here the scene is set for the day; we are to concentrate on ageing juvenile, 1st winter and adult birds. Although Martin sets us off with some basic ground knowledge he is very keen for us to get out and look at these birds ourselves. It is by this method that we are better armed to retain the information we are discovering and learning.
The sites we visit are all very close by; giving us ample time in the field. There is opportunity to scan through thousands of gulls. The first challenge we are set is to find our own Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls of ages juvenile, 1st winter and adult. This is great as it really gets us looking at the fine details of identification. Throughout the field sessions Martin throws in some useful tips and snippets of information that help us get the most out of each opportunity. It is great to be able discuss our observations with Martin; this further helps the learning progress.
During the three days I have attended we have observed (in addition to the commoner species expected) we have observed Iceland Gull, Caspian Gulls and argentatus Herring Gulls; these certainly add to the excitement of the occasion!
Caspian Gull etc
I personally feel that I have learnt a huge amount about gull identification from these masterclasses; I can now search through flocks of gulls with both confidence and excitement! It is my opinion that the £35.00 price tag for these events are worth every penny (you would spend more on a book and would not gain half as much knowledge or experience).
Links:
- http://birdingfrontiers.com/
- http://www.binocularface.co.uk/2011/12/01/break-out-of-your-paradigm-mo-fo/
Related posts:
