This is a picture I have found via Google of what are labelled as 2nd and 3rd winter Herring Gulls. They seem quite different to the bird in my photo.
Does anyone else have an opinion?
Seen 13 December 2008, shortly after 1:00pm.
Yes, I can see what you mean about the wings.I assume you are leaning towards Caspian gull here. I can see how one would lean towards caspian but in my opinion the bill is too stubby and herring gull like for it to be a caspian. The wings are not attenuated enough, once again they seem to fit herring gull. Also, the dark eye is not a reliable feauture to go by and some herring gulls can show this feautue. Anyone please feel free to correct me here.
The gulls on this site seem to all have streaking on the head, which our bird lacked.It's a second-winter Herring Gull. Simliar birds can be seen here: http://www.xs4all.nl/~daarruud/polen2/argentatus3cy.html
At least two Caspian Gulls have been present at Stubber's Green recently but they were a third-winter and an adult.
Brian
www.westmidlandsbirding.co.uk
www.worcesterbirding.co.uk
Does that stop other gulls turning up?At least two Caspian Gulls have been present at Stubber's Green recently but they were a third-winter and an adult.
Does that stop other gulls turning up?
Thank you for an informative and measured response.
There's a lot to take in here and I have a migraine so I'll look at it and the various links in more detail later.