Sabine's Gull, Amwell, 17th November 2022

There have been a few sightings of Sabine's Gull across the UK in the last week or so, but it was a total surprise when a juvenile was reported at Amwell late on the 16th, roosting with the Black-headed Gulls. It was too late to pop down so an early start saw about a dozen birders the next morning waiting in the dark and the rain for the chance to see this scarce gull. Sadly, only one person got onto it before the roost flew out still in the dark! The only slim chance was that it might return to roost again the same evening. In slightly better weather with another small crowd waiting it was spotted about 4pm. Such a tiny bird and sadly distant, but a local mega! I only managed a couple of record shots in the gathering gloom.