I believe this gull to be a 1st summer Yellow Legged Herring.
Pure white unmarked tail
I thought the Yellow Legs were early but they can show from May
Shadow round the eye
Poor pics in afternoon heat distortion. Correct me if I,m wrong
White tips on tertials. Discoloured bill
Sub adult to adult Yellow Legged
1st summer YL and ad LBB
Yellow Legged
1st summer and near adult YL
YL YL LBB
- The sixth morning of fog in a row along with heavy rain throughout on a SW>3 at 12 degrees.
- Just time to check the shorelines before the rain turned to drizzle allowing the fog to thicken and stop the job.
- The late afternoon watch was much better with brighter skies on a moderate WSW>4 though very quiet.
- Nothing this morning other than a few Swallows moving through before the thick fog rolled in plus a few Wheatear around the ponds but no waders and no gulls.
- After an early adjournment this morning it was good to get a clear and dry afternoon though still quiet with a small count of gulls over on the north shore.
- A walk along the west bank got me within range but struggling with the heat distortion which was a little better when they went into the water.
- Just the 1 Black Headed which is an uncommon visitor here along with 15 ad Lesser Black Backed. The 2 interesting gulls were a Yellow Legged Herring gull which was in near adult plumage but just didnt look right, possibly due to moult or it being a 3rd summer bird, but not enough detail to split it.
- The other gull was what I believe to be a 1st summer Yellow Legged Herring for reasons printed below the photos but of course I stand to be corrected. The tail was so unmarked and white it stood out like a Wheatear.
- Another SE breeze for tomorrow which could take me into a full week of foggy mornings.
- VISIBLE MIGRATION
- 18 Swallow.........>S
- 7 Wheatear blogging
- 2 YL Herring gull...blogging
- 3 Golden Plover.....blogging
- PRESENT
- 1 BH gull
- 15 LBB gull
- + usual sp.
- BS
- P.S. Trying to get a comment box back but this new blog has other ideas ????
