little gull

[Ukwildlifeo]

Is this a little gull?



I took this yesterday evening at Elmley Marshes. One was reported across the swale at Oare marshes a few days ago. It was hawking around for insects and wasn't very black headed gull in it behaviour and seemed smaller.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Black-headed Gull juv for me

[Ukwildlifeo]

That was my first thought but it was too small. It looks closer to the 1st winter little gull in the collins guide, which also mentions the tern like behaviour and broken band in the tail.

[thebeard]

but its summer!!! i'm not sure but i'd say BH gull from the photo...

[Ferret]

I think it's a Little Gull all looks ok for a 1st summer bird to me, I would have thought a Black-headed should be showing a lot of white on the primaries and outer wing at any age, these are all dark on this bird.

Ferret

[Jason Green]

Morning Neil,

Little Gull juv for me, too.

Take care,

Jason

[Rob_D]

I think 1st Summer Little Gull - the wing bars and white central tail feathers.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I showed this thread to a couple of chaps from the RSPB, one who is basically the local gull expert who said it was a def little gull. My first one ever (excluding the white dot on the horizon at Rutland!)

[Jason Green]

...congratulations then, Neil!