A tale of two twitches - part two

After dipping on the Ross's gull on Friday, it was still around over the weekend and was starting to try a new routine. Still showing intermittently it had now discovered Radipole Lake. This is in the centre of Weymouth, about equidistant between Lodmoor and Ferrybridge, it's other two haunts. It could also be seen fishing in the bay but normally only late evening and at great distance. Monday, being my day off, was therefore decided as another trip to Weymouth. I initially set the alarm a bit later than normal as Judith was doing an airport trip. I woke up though about 4.15 and decided to just go so I flung on my clothes and headed off.
Same problem as before though, where to go. On Sunday it had appeared at Lodmoor early doors and had stopped going to Ferrybridge. Radipole seemed to be its stop after having a feed when it took a bit of a bathe in the fresh water there. Lodmoor it was then.
I got there at first light and it was real groundhog day time. Andy and Mr charity shop coat were both already there having also dipped on Friday. A few more arrived by 7.30, including some familiar faces from the Staines reservoir regulars, and we had camped out near the sea-end of the reserve as the scrape was frozen over. There were probably 100 or more black-headed gulls all fresh off their overnight roost having a good bathe. We scanned through and looked up expectantly every time a new bird arrived but nothing. Then I spotted a small bird drop into the throng. Two others saw it as well and we alerted the throng "probably just dropped in, left hand end". A few frantic seconds of searching and we got onto it - the Ross's gull had indeed landed!!!!!

This was the challenge though, as you see this photo. It is one gull and a small one at that, in the midst of a lot of other ones, all moving around. It was really tricky and we all kept losing it then refinding it. Lots of "anyone on it?", "I can see its legs" and, helpfully, "its just behind another gull"!!!
What were we looking for though?

In these two above, and they are all heavily cropped in so not brilliant photos, you can see it. A smaller gull than those around it. It's head stands out and being pure white (they turn pink in full breeding plumage!) and it has really short legs. Unfortunately with the wind from our backs the gulls were mainly facing away from us so it was hard to get side on views.

Especially in the last one of these you can see its short little legs, which actually were quite good for picking it out from the crowd.
After only about 10 minutes I suppose if lifted off with about 10 other gulls, did one circle and then headed off towards Weymouth.

These snatched flight shots show it's pearly white trailing edges to the wings and that hood starting to form. Some observers think they can see a bit of pink but I'm not sure, looks clear white to me. 

Still, a brilliant 10 minutes and lots of very happy birders. We all broke out the coffee flasks and most of us headed back to Radipole to hopefully catch it later, where it might show really close.

Things didn't work out the way though. I spent another 3 hours standing waiting for it but no show. Again a few members of the supporting cast tried to keep us amused including a lovely kingfisher and an almost breeding plumage cormorant but no star.

I gave up about 12. It did pop in very briefly much later in the day. On the way back I tried for the stilt sandpiper at Stanpit but missed it by about 5 minutes. Still, I'd much rather have it that way round than miss the Ross's again. First lifer of the year and what a beautiful bird to boot. Really happy with that. Now, with the "beast from the east" arriving this week perhaps a few more Arctic specialists might drop in - ivory gull or a Stellers eider anyone??