Mediterranean Gull: Stunning weather forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend saw me taking a trip down to Essex to see my mum. And when the weather is this good you just have to go down to the sea front, have an ice creme and take a stroll down the pier.
Southend Pier is a major landmark in Southend-on-Sea. Extending 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary. The pier is famous for two things, firstly it is the longest pleasure pier in the world and secondly it is home to a large population of Med gulls.
This very warm weather seemed to affect the gulls which spent much of their time loafing about on the exposed jetty posts.
Typically back up north black-headed gulls dominate land, sea and sky. Hundreds jostle for space on the islands, bowing and posturing to one another, copulating and laying claim to nest sites.
But down here on the stretched out pier in the middle of the Thames the white wings and red bills of the med gulls seem to be the most abundant bird.
And the most splendid.
