We do find Yellow-legged Gulls oddly compelling, as much because there's so much about them that we're puzzled about, not least the fact that we quite baffled as to why we didn't notice the summer arrival of juveniles until 15-20 years ago - they've certainly increased in recent years but were they occurring before that and we just overlooked them or couldn't identify them? Also, what on earth's the reason for them heading north to Britain anyway as they seem to disappear from these parts almost as quickly as they arrive - what's all that about? This evening's bird was very much a primary immigrant - on a watch at the Bill tip with what little movement there was involving birds heading either east or west, this was the only thing that looked to have come over the horizon from the due south and make a bee-line straight for the Bill before carrying on up West Cliffs © Martin Cade:
