Ondarroa and central Bilbao, Bilbao, Cantabria.

A wet visit to Ondarroa port and a chance meeting with a local birder.

Common Gull (Gaviota Cana /Larus canus).

Jayne and I headed out from the hotel in the rain which developed into sleet and snow as well as low cloud and fog, all of which made for an interesting drive. 

Common Gull (Gaviota Cana /Larus canus).

We eventually reached the port and found a parking space, due to the weather Jayne sensibly stayed in the car and I walked down to the port where almost straight away I bumped into Juan Andres who's interesting and helpful blog http://juankarandres.blogspot.com.es/ I have been following for some time. 

Common Gull (Gaviota Cana /Larus canus).

We spent an hour or so checking through the Gulls on site but the best we could do was a smart Common Gull (Gaviota Cana /Larus canus) as well as lots of Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Lesser Black-backed (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and several Ruddy Turnstones (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Common Gull (Gaviota Cana /Larus canus).

The weather was getting no better so we made our way back to Bilbao where we had some lunch before going into the Fine Arts Museum in the center and then found and took a ride on the cities funicular railway to the top of the hill. 

2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) ???

On a much better day you get a view out over the city but today we were lucky not to be washed or blown off the top so we returned to the town and had a couple of drinks, the one in a nice bar called Churchills. 

2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) ???

Jayne had a Gin and Tonic which was a tad steep at €11 but worth it as the chap behind the bar did work hard on making it special and Jayne said it tasted good but I did have a very quiet sense of humour failure at €4.50 for a small bottle of coke light and a bit of ice !!!! 

2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) ???

We later had some tapas again before returning to our hotel for our last night in Bilbao.

2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) ???