Norfolk, UK - Iceland Gull? (1 Viewer)

[LaplandBunting]

Hi all,

Was driving near Kings Lynn, Norfolk on Friday and saw a large Gull take flight from a roadside field. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get more than a few seconds of continuous viewing but it strongly appeared from quite ideal views that the top of its wings were completely pale grey with no black edges as I would expect on a Herring Gull. Otherwise it was as I would expect a Herring Gull (maybe a slightly paler grey colour).

I know a few Iceland Gulls have been around the county recently but unsurprisingly they're all immature birds. It just got me thinking what's the chances of an adult Iceland Gull in Kings Lynn at this time of year - surely extremely unlikely, right? I'm just curious because it looked for all the world that there was absolutely no black on the upper wing of this bird.

Thanks for any comments (including those telling me it's surely just a Herring Gull I didn't see well enough).

 

[PYRTLE]

How have you ruled out Glaucous Gull?

 

[LaplandBunting]

Not ruled out at all - should have mentioned that. Was just working on the premise that hypothetically if this was a white-winged Gull it might be slightly more likely to be an Iceland Gull given that there are some around Norfolk at the moment but no Glaucs reported in southern England for a week or more.

Whatever it is I will never be sure, just testing possibilities and of course that includes Iceland, Glauc or who knows what else.

 

[Butty]

I'm not sure what there could be to tell you. If the bird was, in fact, precisely as you describe, then the ID is as you say. But you seem not to be certain - so...

 

[Essex Tern]

Don’t rule out leucism as an option.

 

[LaplandBunting]

Don’t rule out leucism as an option.

Cheers - I didn't really think of that but it seems more likely than an adult Iceland/Glauc in the middle of May.

 

[Original PaulE]

Hi all,

Was driving near Kings Lynn, Norfolk on Friday and saw a large Gull take flight from a roadside field. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get more than a few seconds of continuous viewing but it strongly appeared from quite ideal views that the top of its wings were completely pale grey with no black edges as I would expect on a Herring Gull. Otherwise it was as I would expect a Herring Gull (maybe a slightly paler grey colour).

I know a few Iceland Gulls have been around the county recently but unsurprisingly they're all immature birds. It just got me thinking what's the chances of an adult Iceland Gull in Kings Lynn at this time of year - surely extremely unlikely, right? I'm just curious because it looked for all the world that there was absolutely no black on the upper wing of this bird.

Thanks for any comments (including those telling me it's surely just a Herring Gull I didn't see well enough).

I tend to find with, White wing gulls in flight, the wing tips seems to glow white, rather than just not have any black in if that makes sense, they are really obvious even with only a few seconds view!!

 

[LaplandBunting]

I tend to find with, White wing gulls in flight, the wing tips seems to glow white, rather than just not have any black in if that makes sense, they are really obvious even with only a few seconds view!!

Cheers Paul - I only have experience with juveniles so I will bear this in mind if I ever come across an adult in future...

 

[Original PaulE]

Cheers Paul - I only have experience with juveniles so I will bear this in mind if I ever come across an adult in future...

Ah I meant with juveniles/2nd winter types!! Sorry!! Had this one at Ullapool couple if weeks ago. Have limited experience with adults !!

 

[LaplandBunting]

Ah I meant with juveniles/2nd winter types!! Sorry!! Had this one at Ullapool couple if weeks ago. Have limited experience with adults !!

Ah ok - got it! Great shot nevertheless!