Juv Mediterranean gull? Or winter plumage? (1 Viewer)

[Al Downie]

Hi all,

Found three of these in a marshy pool on Ile de Re on the west coast of France today. Red legs and Bill, no black primaries. Could they be Juv Mediterranean gulls? Or adults in winter plumage? (All the black-headed gulls in the area are in winter plumage already, despite amazing summer weather!)

Thanks,

Al

 

[Pedro Ramalho]

Mediterranean gull in winter plumage

 

[Al Downie]

Thank you!!

 

[Nutcracker]

With Turnstones behind.

The hooded gulls (Med, Black-headed, etc.) mostly lose their summer hoods in July or early August. Maybe more realistically called 'spring plumage' than 'summer plumage'

 

[Simon Wates]

Yes - the breeding plumage is all to do with the breeding cycle not really about winter and summer. The timing is reliable though some inds. turn earlier or later than the norm - its not about hot weather