I have posted pics of 3 different birds here in the last couple of months, each of which I thought was a YLG, but none have been confirmed as such. The bird in the attached pics (taken today, Gloucestershire) looked to have yellowish legs but definitely a mid-grey mantle, darker than BHG, lighter than LBB, about the same as Common Gull. Size-wise, it looked as big as a Herring. The only thing I can't seem to get the hang of is YLG structure (head shape, neck proportions, etc.), so anyone like to comment? (If this aint a YLG, I think I will have to give up looking for them!)
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Yellow-legged Gull, England (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter grahamB
- Start date
Rich Bonser
Well-known member
You’ve got one confirmed now. Nice angular head, fairly bright bare part colouration and that deep-based ‘chunky’ bill. This bird’s quite difficult to age but I’d go for a 4th year bird with fairly retarded bill development with the gonys appearing fairly dark.
I'd have a look at its size compared to the accompanying Little Egret and check the next Common Gull you see next to this species. I'd be pretty surprised if you've ever seen a Common Gull as big as this beast!
Congratulations.
Cheers and good birding
Rich
I'd have a look at its size compared to the accompanying Little Egret and check the next Common Gull you see next to this species. I'd be pretty surprised if you've ever seen a Common Gull as big as this beast!
Congratulations.
Cheers and good birding
Rich
Last edited:
Rich Bonser
Well-known member
Indeed, my apologies... perhaps I shouldn't skim read as much as I do. Hope you enjoy more of these beasts once you get your eye in. Keeps me occupied all year here on The Thames.
Good birding
Rich
