Gull for ID

[Gaina]

This gull has been hanging around for a few days now. I thought it might be a Black-headed gull as it was hanging around with them (although they didn't seem to like it much!).

It's slightly bigger and more 'plump' than the BHG's and the grey on the head seems more uniform than the Black Headed's 'spot' in Winter Plumage.



Thanks for any suggestions

[Jason Green]

Hi Gaina,

It's a winter-plumaged Common Gull, though the dark band on the bill can put you off a bit can't it! I've seen a few CGs in BHG colonies too.

Take care,

Jason

[Ukwildlifeo]

Looks like a Common gull. They often hang round with Black headed gulls.

They've been discussed toady on another thread too: here

[Gaina]

Thank you! I suspected it might be a Common Gull but wasn't 100%. Ironically, Common Gulls are never seen round here, just Herring Gulls and the odd Black Headed Gull.

[Jason Green]

Common Gulls aren't the most common in my part of the Capital either! My main ones are the Black-headed and Herring, then Lesser Black-backed during summer and the odd Great Black-backed in Winter.

[Ukwildlifeo]

They were rather ironically named till recently Ive been told. They used to be quite uncommon apart from certain coastal sites. Now they've followed the other gulls inland and are the 2nd most common species around here

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Gaina

Thank you! I suspected it might be a Common Gull but wasn't 100%. Ironically, Common Gulls are never seen round here, just Herring Gulls and the odd Black Headed Gull.

During winter Common Gulls are often the second most numerous gull around London- especially around playing fields,parks etc + often pirating bread from the Black-headed Gulls.