Gull, Yorkshire coast UK (1 Viewer)

[stevethehydra]

I saw this gull perched on the "rocket pole" near Filey Brigg, close to sunset on 18th March. It struck me with the naked eye as darker-mantled than other Herring Gulls around (though obviously nowhere near as dark as LBBG or GBBG) and bulky-looking. Through binoculars the legs looked more yellow than pink, though I appreciate that isn't very discernible in these photos. Can it be a YLG, or is it within Herring variation?

 

[Rotherbirder]

Difficult to say from these images but the thick, heavy bill and angular head are arguably pro-Yellow-legged features.

RB

 

[THE_FERN]

I saw this gull perched on the "rocket pole" near Filey Brigg, close to sunset on 18th March. It struck me with the naked eye as darker-mantled than other Herring Gulls around (though obviously nowhere near as dark as LBBG or GBBG) and bulky-looking. Through binoculars the legs looked more yellow than pink, though I appreciate that isn't very discernible in these photos. Can it be a YLG, or is it within Herring variation?

Legs on first image certainly yellowish, at least for me on this monitor...

 

[Butty]

at least for me on this monitor...

And, at least for me on mine . . .
1. Muddy gey nothing-colour.
2. Distinctly pinkish!
And - given the quality of the photo (no offence, etc, etc), lighting, etc, etc. - I wouldn't attach any real-world credence to either.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

I agree with all, that a picture of the open wing is needed for confident ID, at least for me. My thoughts:

• I agree with Rotherbirder: full, angular head profile is very good for a YLG.
• And I think I can guess some darkish wash behind the eye= a good mask for a YLG. Yes, many YLG are completly white headed in mid-march.
• low evening light makes the mantle appear darker, but when noticed this in the field with direct comparison to HG than it was real
• yes, it looks like a bird that is worth a closer look in Britain and I would ID it as a YLG in SW-Germany without waiting it to open its wings
• yes, pp seems on the short site for a YLG
• I agree with Butty, its hard to be sure of leg-colour, but again: you have seen them as yellowish in the field

Conclusion? I cant ID it=cant exclude a Herring Gull. But I hope my post is useful and I hope you find your next YLG soon!

 

[SteveClifton]

I cant exclude a Herring Gull.

No, me neither, and FWIW Y-l Gulls are much much scarcer in Northern England in early spring than Herring Gulls, which of course are commonplace.

Those legs look distinctly pink on my screen!

 

[stevethehydra]

Thanks all. I must admit I was half hoping that someone would be like "oh, that wing pattern means it's obviously a Herring Gull" or "obviously a YLG" (I get lost in all the discussion of "mirrors", "tongues" etc...) - but good to know that it did have some YLG features (even if not quite definitely identifiable) and I wasn't completely stringing it out of nothing!