Seagull ID

[PeterD]

I have tried to ID this gull in the bird guide but I am having a lot of trouble getting there. There are so many variations it makes it difficult. The gull in question is at the centre of the image. Its size can be judged from the other birds at each side.

http://surfbirds.com/albums/data/500/Sea_Gull-1271054.jpg (http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=6002)


Thanks

PeterD

[Colin Key]

Peter,

If the two accompanying gulls are Black-headed (as they appear to be) then on size, form and bill shape I would say that your bird is an immature Herring or Lesser Black-backed Gull, but plumage detail is not very clear. I would stick my neck out and say 2nd winter Herring.

Colin

[PeterD]

Peter,

If the two accompanying gulls are Black-headed (as they appear to be) then on size, form and bill shape I would say that your bird is an immature Herring or Lesser Black-backed Gull, but plumage detail is not very clear. I would stick my neck out and say 2nd winter Herring.

Colin

Thanks Colin, somehow I thought it would be you who replied.

I am currently using a 70-300mm lens with a 1.4 converter. The trouble is that the lens maximum aperature is 5.6, add another stop for the converter and there is just not enough range. Auto focussing seems to be an issue too with this combination. Absolutely fine with a 12-60 lens with motor drive. Looking at replacing the telephoto gear as I prefer action shots and I don't think my current gear is up to it.

Thanks again

PeterD

[Sean Cole]

The pale inner window on the primaries can be seen well in your picture - which makes it a Herring gull.

[PeterD]

The pale inner window on the primaries can be seen well in your picture - which makes it a Herring gull.

Thank you Sean.

My apologies for the quality of the image but I am having trouble with my telephoto gear as mentioned above. Hopefully, future images will be of better quality.

PeterD