Which gull is this one?

[loripo]

Seen today by the Thames. Quite a large flock of black-headed gulls nearby, but only the one like this. Smaller than the black-headed, with all black bill. Flew off before I could get a better shot.

[Ferret]

Looks like a 1st winter Lesser Black-baked Gull to me although I will not argue if someone more experienced than me says it’s a 1st winter Herring Gull. The only thing that confuses me is that you say it was smaller than a Black-headed Gull, there are not many Gulls smaller than black-headed and those that are do not look like this bird at any age.

Ferret

[RoyW]

As Ferret says, it's not one of the smaller gulls.
It's a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed or Herring (& not really possible to say from a front on view).

[htcdude]

Sure it's not a Slaty-backed Gull?

[loripo]

That would have caused a stir!
(I'm looking up lesser black backed so I will know next time)

[Lance Morgan]

Looks like young Herring Gull to me.

[loripo]

They do look so similar to me. What would have made it possible to decide?
(usually where I am by the THames we see black-headed or greater black backed).

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by RoyW

It's a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed or Herring (& not really possible to say from a front on view).

I agree, do you have any photo's from the sides showing the tertials, greater coverts etc?

The breast pattern is more suggestive of herring gull.

[loripo]

No - it flew off before I could take any more photos, or get a good look at it.

[faz]

i would go with first winter herring gull i have lots of them in my garden all the time eating every thing i put out for the smaller birds