Gull on Isle of Mull Scotland today (1 Viewer)

Cliff1002

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2018

• #1

Seen by a friend today on inland loch on Mull, on its own so no size comparison I'm afraid.
Punted it out to three respected birders and got three different responses (Little, Bonapartes and Kittiwake) so throwing it on here for opinions!

 

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CARERY

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2018

• #2

Immature Kittiwake, 100%

 

B

birdmeister

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2018

• #3

CARERY said:

Immature Kittiwake, 100%

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Agreed.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Feb 19, 2018

• #4

Ditto to 1st-winter Kittiwake, though one with somewhat unusual leg colour (should be dark blackish grey)

 

Cliff1002

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2018

• #5

thanks guys, leg colour is odd and also lack of dark collar made me wonder!

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Feb 19, 2018

• #6

Cliff1002 said:

thanks guys, leg colour is odd and also lack of dark collar made me wonder!

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I think that's just hidden because its neck is hunched up :t:

 

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nobbyball

Well-known member

• Feb 20, 2018

• #7

Cliff1002 said:

thanks guys, leg colour is odd and also lack of dark collar made me wonder!

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They lose the neck collar as they moult into their first summer. Also some Kittiwakes do show this leg colour... Check out the new photo guide to Gulls. There's a Kittiwake picture from Ireland with the exact same leg colour to provide comparison with Red Legged Kittiwake for anybody lucky enough to be birding way out west (or east ;-) )

Ian