I couldn't resist another check for the Ring-billed Gull which was only 30 mins from where I was staying and you've guessed it.... Gone for good! The only nearby news was for Purple Sandpiper at Southsea Castle (Portsmouth) which was only a couple of miles away (as the Ring-billed Gull flies)....
It was some 15 miles by road however and fortunately it didn't take long to:
a) find the Castle ruins...... and then
b) find the much smaller group of 16 Purple Sandpipers :-)
The habitat shot.....
Some representative images welcoming you to the world of the Purple Sandpiper - a realm of rocks, surf, slime plus the odd limpet or two....
And despite the hostile environment, there's lots of food.....
Plus (on a sea wall) some horrible camera angles!
Slipping and sliding! Don't risk camera gear here - it's treacherous!
But that green goo is full of tasty morsels!
Gotcha!
Time for a quick was and brush up!
Plus a vigorous flap to dry.....
The full frontal?
Followed by the tastiest image - I did say morsels!
That's the morning gone and I'm going to start heading West with a stop at Blashford lakes......
