Essex gull, UK (1 Viewer)

[Fnagwaa]

I saw this gull this evening at long range in fading light. My first impression was too dark for herring so maybe yellow-legged, however a friend has pointed out it doesn't look that big....

Common gull is the obvious species but overall structure/bill just doesn't look right to me although I'm no expert. It did fly off and had dark grey back and small mirrors with underwing flight feathers showing darker than under coverts.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

It is really far, but why not a Common Gull ?

 

[Fnagwaa]

Just looked a bit too chesty and square headed to me, like I said I'm no expert though. Are primaries long enough for common?

 

[rollingthunder]

Looks like a Common to me - overcast conditions adds half a tone to mantle colour...

Laurie -