First wintering gulls

   I´ve just started my summer holidays, a bit shorter this year (only two weeks). This morning went to my favourite lagoon: "A Frouxeira", in Valdoviño (province of A Coruña). There, waters level keeps on very low yet, although it´s possible lagoon should close in next days if there´s a high tide; then,  level will probably begin growing slowly, day by day. For now, conditions remains quite optimum for migratory bids, as waders or gulls.

  Today, a group of Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) were resting over sand, with two adults individuals and three juveniles (maybe a family?)

   This gull walked over waters trully cocky!!

      I admit youngers gulls are not specially "nice" (is an opinion). But some species, like Black-headed, have beautiful plumage when juveniles, with these warmed brown shades.

 Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus),  1st. summer juvenile

    Close to them, two Mediterranean Gulls (Larus melanocephalus). First record of species this summer. Some years ago, this gull was extremely rare in this area of Coruña coast, but during last decades became  common enough both in migratory path and wintering.

Mediterranean Gulls (Larus melanocephalus)

  Also, lagoon was full with birds. And a so low water level makes watchings easier. I could count:

- 20 Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea)
- 4 Eurasian Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia)
- 510 Typical ducks (Anas platyrhynchos and Anas strepera). A very high number at these dates!
- 24 Coots (Fulica atra)
- 2 juveniles Water Rails (Rallus aquaticus)
- 1 Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
- 1 Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
- 1 Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)

  And, of course, "my" Otters (Lutra lutra). Today there was the four members family (a female with three naughty cubs) and a lonely male, swimming on southern banks.

Otters family (Lutra lutra)

 See you on next post!