Are these Black Headed Gulls? (1 Viewer)

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Peewit

Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover

• Nov 27, 2010

• #1

hi there

After a trip to Essex, (the whole report is on the x-Beebs are of this Forum), I took this picture of a row of Black Headed Gulls sitting together on the The Stour Estuary wall.

After looking hard at the photos I wonder if there are a couple of Med Gulls in amongst them - the brown colouring through the wings make me think that.

Could someone confirm for me please?

Do BHG's and Meds stick together as species in the winter months?

Regards
Kathy
x

 

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DaveN

Derwent Valley Birder

• Nov 27, 2010

• #2

They're all Black-headed Gulls, Kathy. The 'brown colouring' you refer to is because they're 1st winter birds.

 

P

Peewit

Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover

• Nov 27, 2010

• #3

DaveN said:

They're all Black-headed Gulls, Kathy. The 'brown colouring' you refer to is because they're 1st winter birds.

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Hi Dave

Thank you for the confirmation. So first year BHG's have the brown markings on wings. :t::t:

Gulls are never the easiest to get to grips with - it is a never ending road to knowing the species. :brains:

Regards
Kathy
x

 

Last edited: Nov 27, 2010

phil baber

Clipped Wing

• Nov 27, 2010

• #4

Sorry. All BH Gulls...

 

P

Peewit

Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover

• Nov 27, 2010

• #5

phil baber said:

Sorry. All BH Gulls...

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Thanks Phil now I know better

Gosh Gulls are just the most difficult species to work out at the best of times.

Regards
Kathy
x

 

Clive A

Well-known member

• Nov 27, 2010

• #6

Peewit said:

Gulls are never the easiest to get to grips with - it is a never ending road to knowing the species. :brains:

Regards
Kathy
x

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Black headed gulls are a good starting point Kathy, as you only have the 2 age groups, 1st winter and adult winter( at the moment). The bigger gulls such as Herring have 4 age groups, so a more bewildering range of plumages.

 

P

Parker

Uncomfortably Numb.

• Nov 27, 2010

• #7

Peewit said:

Thanks Phil now I know better

Gosh Gulls are just the most difficult species to work out at the best of times.

Regards
Kathy
x

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Hi Kathy,

You're not wrong they are difficult. Meds are generally a little larger than BHG, although there can be quite a big size difference between BHG's. But Meds are bulkier, more like Common Gulls. Also the bills are thicker & bigger. As a rule of thumb if you're not sure it's usually a BHG. Hope this helps.

Cheers, Neil.

 

London Birder

Well-known member

• Nov 27, 2010

• #8

Kathy,

Here's a photo of a Mediterranean Gull. It's an adult in winter. A first-winter MG would also show dark markings on the wing coverts and tertials.

However they differ structurally to Black-headed Gull. Apart from normally being a little larger note the relatively long legs and stouter bill cf. BHG. The bill on MG can often appear 'droopy' at range.

 

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P

Peewit

Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover

• Nov 27, 2010

• #9

Thank you everyone for your contributions to this thread - lots of food for thought, and I take on board what has been said here. It is practice, practice, and more practice.

London birder: Now that picture of the Med gull has made me think a lot more what one looks like over the BHG.

As you mentioned...Meds are leggier than BHG and have a shorter bill - makes them stand out a little more so I will put the observation to good use now.

Regards
Kathy
x