Friday 16 January 2009

FRANKLIN'S GULL IN AYRSHIRE

The first-winter FRANKLIN'S GULL present off Barassie Shore until dark was found by Bruce Kerr and was seen by about 5 others before it got pitch dark, including Angus Murray (who identified it) and Brian Orr. Due to the light conditions, no photographs were taken.

It represents only the second record for Ayrshire, following a first-summer seen daily on the ebbing tide at Irvine Harbour from 2nd-6th July 1980 (see Scottish Birds 12: 258-259).