Sunday People

Now that’s quite a gull

- Keith Perry

A RARE kelp gull has been spotted at a reservoir in Britain for the first time.

The seabird, usually found only in the southern hemisphere, was identified by birdwatche­rs at Grafham Water near Huntingdon, Cambs, last Sunday.

Gary Allport, of Birdlife Internatio­nal, said it was also “extraordin­ary ” to see the kelp gull on such a stretch as it is normally a “coastal species”.

He added: “You do get them inland in certain places but usually only when they are breeding.”

The British Bird Rarities Committee, one of two organisati­ons that will verify identifica­tion, said it was “one of the more amazing records to reach Britain”.

Chairman Paul French added: “It’s main range is Namibia and South Africa.”

 ?? ?? AMAZING SPOT: Kelp gull
AMAZING SPOT: Kelp gull

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