Request juvenile Gull id (Bempton Cliffs, UK) (1 Viewer)

[Earnest lad]

Please can anyone confirm the id of the bird shown here. I saw it at RSPB Bempton recently during a vain attempt to spot the Albatross . I assume it is a young gull - it was on the coastal footpath and was extremely confiding. It only took off eventually once I had walked right up to it.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Earnest, I think its a juvenile Herring Gull. Yes, pale parts in the wing (between the dark centers/barring) are warm sooty brown and even ginger hued. This makes this a striking and pleasant looking example, I agree with you.
If you look hard enough, you can see jet-black primaries (not just black). but it is no 1 cy Lesser Black backed Gull imo by

• variagated pattern of the tertials
• short primaries (yes can still be growing, what means recently?)
• extensive pale greater coverts with only narrow dark bars

As always: happy to be corrected and I know that there are HG x LBBG hybrids around, but even claiming a potential contender is far above my level of experience.

And please note that "confiding" is the new shyness in times of large Gulls stealing food (french fries, icecream, burger and more) at many sites

edit: there are many examples on the net:

there are many more to be found

 

[Earnest lad]

Hi Alexander, Thank you for your kindness in sharing your knowledge of gulls. I think Herring Gull does breed at this site. As for LBBG, not to my knowledge (but could be mistaken). It is a nice-looking bird - I agree. Even I was able to get a half decent photo on this occasion so close did it allow me to approach

 

[lou salomon]

it is a juvenile Herring Gull indeed. primaries still are growing but note that the tips to p6 and 7 have clear white crescents to their tips - lacking in LBBG. all the other mentioned features are more variable and can occure in LBBG also, even if not that commonly as in HG.

 

[Earnest lad]

it is a juvenile Herring Gull indeed. primaries still are growing but note that the tips to p6 and 7 have clear white crescents to their tips - lacking in LBBG. all the other mentioned features are more variable and can occure in LBBG also, even if not that commonly as in HG.

Thank you so much : that is something new to me. I have learned something there and something to look out for in the future.