Juv.BHGull June-Sep plumage, East of Tower Bridge, London yesterday. (1 Viewer)

KenM

Well-known member

• Jul 22, 2019

• #1

Was struck by this very attractive (dark) individual yesterday, only the second time that I've encountered one so well marked. Have to presume that paler Juvs. are the norm and that this phase is a very ''short'' phase, as I've so rarely encountered one such as this....or do I need to get out more often?

Cheers

 

Attachments

• 
  P1980654.jpeg Juv.BHG 1..jpeg

  112.1 KB · Views: 111

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 22, 2019

• #2

You need to get to BHG colonies more often 3 perfectly normal newly-fledged youngster. They don't keep that plumage for very long though.

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Jul 22, 2019

• #3

Nutcracker said:

You need to get to BHG colonies more often 3 perfectly normal newly-fledged youngster. They don't keep that plumage for very long though.

Click to expand...

Cheers Nutty, I’ve never visited a BHG colony but I have “clocked” post breeding birds (presumed non breeders) returning to Wintering areas as early as June, and have only seen juvs. (Birds of the year) and their respective plumages have been far in advance of the imaged bird. Thus am assuming that this phase is perhaps ongoing for just less than a month?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 22, 2019

• #4

If that, I think often just 2 or 3 weeks even, and before they travel very far. I'd think you should look for a potential new breeding colony within a few km of your bird :t:

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Jul 22, 2019

• #5

KenM said:

Cheers Nutty, I’ve never visited a BHG colony but I have “clocked” post breeding birds (presumed non breeders) returning to Wintering areas as early as June, and have only seen juvs. (Birds of the year) and their respective plumages have been far in advance of the imaged bird. Thus am assuming that this phase is perhaps ongoing for just less than a month?

Click to expand...

Plenty of breeding colonies of these around London these days to the detriment of Common Terns.

 

D

davewalters

Well-known member

• Jul 22, 2019

• #6

to the east of Tower Bridge? As I recall don't a few pairs of BHG breed on rafts in St Katherines Dock

 

rollingthunder

Well-known member

• Jul 22, 2019

• #7

The nicest ‘phase’ of any of our resident Gull species - albeit short-lived a few weeks at most. The light makes it look darker than norm but these ‘Ginger’ birds really are very attractive so make the most of it:t:

Laurie -

 

A

aeshna5

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2019

• #8

davewalters said:

to the east of Tower Bridge? As I recall don't a few pairs of BHG breed on rafts in St Katherines Dock

Click to expand...

I'm more familiar with the west of town, but there's a good sized colony at the London Wetland Centre not far from central London. Perhaps closer to Ken but further out is Fishers Green as I believe he is near Epping Forest.