confirm or correct Gull ID (and wheater)

[riggy]

Hello

Whilst out walking today nr Sheffield saw this group of gulls on farmers field (the field opposite was been ploughed)

My thoughts are a mixture of Black Headed and Lesser Black-backed

The blacked backed ones whilst considerably bigger than the black headed look two small for Great BB.

However a couple of these around as well I think they are 2nd winter LBB but can't for certain rule out Herring Gull (sorry about the quality of pics on these)


And please confirm this is a Wheatear (sorry about spelling mistake in title)


Cheers
Paul

[htcdude]

Pic 2 looks like a mix of Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and possibly a couple of Great Black-backed.

Last is as you say, a Wheatear.

Nige

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by riggy

However a couple of these around as well I think they are 2nd winter LBB but can't for certain rule out Herring Gull (sorry about the quality of pics on these)

1st of the above not really identifiable, 2nd and 3rd could even be Yellow-legged Gull rather than the two species you mention, but I think Herring for the 3rd.

I agree with what HTCDude said for the other photos.

[riggy]

RoyW and HTCdude

Cheers

RowW should have said that the second set of pics with the bird flying is the same bird. I wasn't sure if it was Herring or LBB

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by riggy

RowW should have said that the second set of pics with the bird flying is the same bird. I wasn't sure if it was Herring or LBB

If all three shots show the same individual, you can discount Lesser Black-backed Gull - but I certainly wouldn't rule out Yellow-legged Gull.

[riggy]

A couple more of the same bird



Cheers
Paul

[RoyW]

No one else stupid enough to try and name this gul then?

Gulls can be tricky at the best of times, immatures especially so.
In this case I think that it is unlikely to be a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull because the greater coverts on the upperwing appear to all be the same colour as the rest of the wing coverts (generally obviously darker, the same colour as the secondaries, in LBb), and there seems to be an obvious pale 'window' made by the inner primaries on the underwing (sometimes apparent in LBb, but not usually noticeable).
Herring is possible, but the shots showing the upperside of the primaries seem to show a continous dark 'bar' along the trailing edge of the wing, without the obvious pale 'window' that would be expected on the inner primaries.
1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls are intermediate in character between these two species, so might fit, and the relatively pale head and underparts would also fit (though are also not unusual in LBb and Herring).

To be honest I wouldn't like to say from these shots (and despite what I said earlier, LBb probably can't be completely ruled out)!

[riggy]

Thanks for trying RoyW

[RoyW]

I tend to find gulls easier to identify in the field than from other peoples photos. In photos you don't know the effect that light/shade etc may be having.

[riggy]

Some more from today of hopefully the same birds (they were in more or less the same place)



Think this may point towards Great Blacked-backed Gull with maybe a common gull on the second pic

Cheers
Paul