Another young gull needing to be identified

[David in Miyazaki]

I have taken some photos of a young gull in Carrickfurgus Harbour in Northern Ireland back in November, and would appreciate some help determining which one it is. There are four pictures in my album of the bird in different angles which I hope will help with the identification. Thanks.

http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=5675

[Colin Key]

2nd winter Herring Gull for me.

Colin

[JanJ]

Try L. canus Colin.

JanJ

[Colin Key]

My first thought was 1st winter L. canus but I thought the facial expression was a bit too "aggressive" and I was swayed by the bill shape in the profile shot (where it is holding something). Looking again the bill is actually a lot slimmer than I thought (there is something in the background or part of what the bird is holding which appears to add to the bill thickness), so I would agree with you, Common Gull.

Colin

[Josh Jones]

First-winter Common Gull.

[David in Miyazaki]

Thanks for your comments. Appreciate the input.

[David in Miyazaki]

Colin, this may be going off the subject a little here but have you or are you working with Arocha Conservation project in Algarve by any chance? My son had a spell with the project in London.