Yellow-legged Gull, UK 18 Dec 21 (2 Viewers)

[GMS]

My initial thought was: Nice, adult Yellow-legged Gull.
Yellow legs, dark grey back, nice clean head, dark red orbital ring. Bigger/bulkier than most of the Herring Gulls present, with a darker mantle. It's also got a dark band on P5.

It was only when I looked at the photos that I noticed the wing pattern and what appears to be pale tongues to at least P8 and possibly the outer primaries too.
The wingtip is not as 'solid' blank as I would have expected.

Am I overthinking this?
Comments welcome.

 

[lou salomon]

no, you're not overthinking it. it's indeed an extreme pattern for michahellis but I still think it is one. i expect a hybrid argie x LBBG to show more head striation for instance.