Gulls on Film: February 2009

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Common Gull - Larus canus

Common Gull Larus canus 2nd calendar year taken 10 Feb 2009 QE2 Country Park, Northumberland.

Adult winter plumage 10 February 2009 QE2 Country Park, Northumberland.

Black Headed Gull - Larus ridibundus

As a diversion I have begun to take some images of gulls I come across here in Northumberland.

Here is a selection of Black Headed Gull Larus ridibundus taken 25 Feb 2009 at QE2 Country Park.

One point of interest, note the bird in the foreground on the three bird shot. I suspect this is a third calendar year bird for two reasons the bare part colours are slightly paler more orange/red than red and the state of the primary moult is slightly behind that of the 'adult' gulls.

Note the variation in bill colour on these two birds the one in the foreground looking almost black at a distance although closer inspection reveals it is in fact dark red/purple with a black tip.