Gull identification

[venkat]

Hi there

In my patch birding, I am particularly interested in gull identification, as I feel that in these huge congregations my limited identification skill especially of immatures means i overlook some rarer gull species

How is best way to go about learning to identify various gulls and their plumages. IS the Helm guide recommedned for this?

[marklhawkes]

The new Gulls book (Helm), is excellent, but not for the faint hearted, and not great for the beginners when starting Gulling.

Try the Macmillan Field Guide (1993) which is good. However, the best option is to find someone local who knows their stuff, and go out in the field with them. When it comes to gulls, especially large ones, the best method is trial and error.

Still one of the best papers on Yellow-legged/Caspian Gulls can be found in British Birds Jan-Feb 1997 - but it may be out of print now.

Good luck