Know Your Gull Species

The only species of gull I seem to be able to positvely identify is the black headed gull.  Others I tend to struggle with.

Blackbird

Hi there

I have to admit that I find ID-ing gulls one of the most difficult things to do with bird watching

The Juvs 1st and 2nd year confuse me no end {confused}

Me too.

I can't get all this juvenile, 1st winter, 2nd summer when there is a full moon stuff, etc, etc........

Often struggle with lesser and greater blackbacks unless you see them at the same time.

There was a really useful ID guide in the October Birdwatching magazine for the common gull species (by Dominic Couzens) like many of his articles it is really to the point and explains what differences to look out, really focuses on what you would expect to see where, i.e. is the bird on the coast, inland, on the rubbish tip or sewage works, armed with this I am determined to improve my gull ID skills, you never know I may be overlooking some rare gull down at the sewage works!!!

Norfolk Dipper

 There was a really useful ID guide in the October Birdwatching magazine for the common gull species

 Yes that article is very good isn't it!! One I need to read a few times to absorb it all!! A couple of weeks back we had some gulls down at Venus Pool and apart from the black headeds, I couldn't decide if the others were LBB or common!!

MarJus

 

 Yes that article is very good isn't it!! One I need to read a few times to absorb it all!! A couple of weeks back we had some gulls down at Venus Pool and apart from the black headeds, I couldn't decide if the others were LBB or common!!

I've removed the summary page at the end of the article and tucked it in the gull section of my field guide for future reference, I've done the same with some of the others that have been in the magazine recently such as finches, chats, and waders.

hi everyone

I think we are all confused about those gulls that we have a lot of diffuculty with.  I am baffled by it all and have lots of ID problems. i have made a lot of error on a regular basis myself.

Know what you mean 'Heron' as the Black Headed Gulls are great to see expect when they lose their non breeding Black coloured head piece - then they look more like Med gulls. Med gulls have a chocolate coloured mask during breeding . Then you get the Little Gill, and it has a black Head piece too but it is smaller than a Black Headed Gull.

I understand that the Black Headed gulls have Black on the end of their tails and the Meds do not. Meds only appear at certain times of the year in the UK.

Hi ND - yes, the 1st and 2n year Gull Juvs are just the most difficult to comprehend at all.  Why the change in feathering over a period of 3 years in all.  Talk about Gull teenagers LOL.

Thanks for the tip about the October birdwatching Magazine. We must buy it as it is a useful tool for us.  Love your signature ND LOL

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi ND

Good idea as it is a holy bible for gulls

Regards

Kathy and Dave

A selection of gull pictures from the Inverness weekend

Hi there

Can anyone work out what these 5 Gull pictures are :Place 1 - 5 in that order.

Just for a bit of light hearted fun LOL - moderators/bloggers allowed too! {wink}

All pictures where taken in one 'small' area of the River Ness. 

So it means that the gull species are repeated!.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Blackbird

Lovely photos and I would dearly love to answer your question but will leave that to the ones that will surely know.  The last time I saw a gull that close it was dive bombing my head as I was running towards the car and I have to admit (funnily enough) I wasn't that bothered at the time what type it was!!

hi Kezmo

I will try my best here LOL.  Thank you for your kind comments about my photographs

Right this is my try but i might be wrong

1, Black Headed Gull (s)

2, Black Headed Gull

3. Black Headed Gull, and Juv Herring Gulls (what year?)

4. Great Black Backed Gull

5. Juv Herring Gull (what year?)

Hi Blackbird

Opening myself up to complete criticism I reckon you are right on all your calls and according to my booook, I think the juvs are first winter birds!!! know your enemy that's what I say! bet I'm wrong but had fun looking it up!

Hi Kezmo

Please do not worry as I can tell that Gulls are the hardest bird to ID on this planet as they are!

So I thought this thread would help us as members to work out what species are what!

Just a bit of moral support here so we can help one another any day!

Simple as that - no competition at all LOL {smile}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Hi Blackbird

I agree entirely, I'm not competitive at all, especially with me as I am getting to know more birds than I did before I joined the community these threads really help me and I find them very interesting.  When I said "know your enemy", I was referring to my dive bombing experience in that should it happen again I really should know which type of gull is coming at me! LOL - although I do freely admit I can't compare to the rest of you who seem to know so much but I am quite happy to have a shot at guesses even if they are wrong and in my case there will be so many {huge grin}.

Now I'm rambling!, let's get back to the gull, could the juvs be first winter gulls?

Hi Kezmo

Thank for your reply

Lots of Gulls diving, and it is not going to a mess about with a lot of people walking about the erea,

Just lots of combs and Hairspay to kill of the Gull dive bombing.any day! LOL only joking!!

No Kezmo -, you are not rambling just being factual simple as that!!!

What you feel comfortable with counts at the end of the day - no matter what!

Love to help those who are lost, and share information here.

I would love the moderators to assist here with their explanations too!!

Regards

Kathy and Dave