Little Stint -- todays bird of interest

saw this with the Dunlin from about 1km away while doing a survey -- looked quite dark at a distance clearly a result of the combination of non-moulted feathers and the dark centres winter scapulars and mantle feathers; note that there are still some rusty fringed upper scapulars still present and some rear lower scapulars; the head is clearly in moult -- not often we get to see birds at this time of year in the Uk though up to 4 have wintered here in recent years but never gave very good views
all photos this afternoon in appalling light at 2000 ISO with Canon 1D4 and Canon 300 2.8 II and 2x III converter

Iceland Gull 2cy

Is it safe to assume this 2cy bird is just a glaucoides? or could it be heading towards kumlieni or given the variation in birds seen in this massive influx will we need to change the views on just what is an Iceland or Kumlien's Gull or are the whole lot just one hugely variable population? gulls! they were better surely when they were all seagulls

lens comparison cont

cropped images with the Canon 300 2.8 II and 2x III converter and Canon 500 f4 with 1.4 III converter from the same distance; Neat Image and sharpening at same amounts on all shots; top two from greater distance and bottom two closer (distance not measured)

It seems to me that the 500 and 1.4 beats the 300 and 2x at a distance but when the subject is closer it is more equal:  all RAW files converted with ACR and processed in Photoshop CS4

300 + 2x v 500

Canon 300 2.8 II and Canon 1D4

Canon 500 f4 and Canon 1D4

the actual difference in size between full frame images with Canon 300 2.8 II with 2x mark III converter top and Canon 500 f4 bottom both on Canon 1D4 from same location / distance

2cy Iceland Gull

after the poor shots from yesterday I was pleased to relocate the 2cy Iceland Gull (more on race later) and to be able to get some comparative shots with the 300 2.8 II and 2x v the 500 f4 and 500 f4 with 1.4 at different distances in the same light conditions -- a pretty good comparative test of which more later but one comparison sheet here

Turnstone, Med Gull and Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull number 3

the second 3cy bird -- subtle differences in plumage and structure from the first bird -- the influx or movement of white-winged gulls seems to be continuing -- could March be a bumper month?

3cy Iceland Gull

the long staying bird still feasting on fish skeletons and scraps / skins