Gull ID

[Stan]

Shot on Brownsea this week, there are a lot of black headed gulls around the lagoon but I thought this one looked a bit different being black around the head rather than brown.
Thinking it might be a mediterranean gull
WDYT

Stan

[Chris J]

Re: Gull ID

Nice shot.
The orange beak does make it a Mediterranean Gull - red and rather thinner in the black-headed. This one looks like a juvenile becoming adult.
Cheers, Chris.

[Stan]

Re: Gull ID

thanks for confirming my thoughts Chris

Stan

[mikep]

Re: Gull ID

For what it's worth, I'd also say a Mediterranean Gull, juvenile, between first and second winter. I'm not trying to show off, I just looked in Collins' Bird Guide book, and your pic looks to be a cross between first winter and second winter coats!

All the best, mike.

[Stan]

Re: Gull ID

Cheers Mike
I have the Collins book too but couldn't quite make up my mind looking at the pictures

Stan