Gull with a black head at Nottingham (1 Viewer)

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Aturnbull1

Member

• Jan 21, 2018

• #1

I was birdwatching at Rufford Country Park this morning in Nottinghamshire. On the frozen lake, there was a small flock of gulls. One of which I couldn't identify. It had a black head and dark bill. Where the bill joined its head, there was a white patch. It is January and black headed gulls lose there black heads in the winter. Any ideas of what it could have been?

 

S

SteveClifton

Well-known member

• Jan 21, 2018

• #2

Almost certainly a Black-headed Gull. They gain their dark hoods gradually, and some develop them much earlier than others. I've been seeing the odd bird with almost full hoods since a month before Christmas, yet most are still in full winter plumage.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jan 21, 2018

• #3

Black-headed Gull was my thought as well.

 

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Aturnbull1

Member

• Jan 22, 2018

• #4

Thank you for the help. It did look like a black headed gull, I was just surprised by its plumage.