Tuesday 30 June 2020

Mediterranean Gull - and leucistic Herring Gull


I eventually caught up with the Mediterranean Gull found earlier by Graham, it came in at 1930 hrs at West Links, Arbroath as the tide was coming in and about 3 metres. It didn't stay long at all and flew off in the middle of the only video I was able to take.

The leucistic Herring Gull is thought to be the same one I found in 2018 which was either a 1st or more likely 2nd summer. I saw it last year in the same area and it was also reported and photographed at Timmergreens shops in the town last year. Never easy to find but most likely roosts nearby and perhaps with the gulls at Elliot mouth, or on Asda's roof.

Mediterranean Gull video, click here  

Leucistic Herring Gull video,click here
  






Adult Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gulls for comparison. Note, it's carrying an injured leg, or is it the black on it's foot that's the problem



Leucistic Herring Gull in less than bright sunlight, shows that it has some greyish pigment on the wing. The darker plumage isn't quite as shown, perhaps darkened a bit by the EV setting in the camera



This one in the early evening sun, I could see that it was the leucistic gull from a long way off as it's so white compared to the other Herring Gulls. I think the EV was at -1, otherwise the bird wouldn't have any detail in the bright low sun



The wings tips show some light grey where the black should be




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