The first - a 1st Winter Yellow-legged Gull , initially seen on a buoy and then on the ice - quite distinctive with white head, dark eye mask and substantial deep bill.
Also present was this 2nd Winter Yellow-legged Gull. The grey mantle and scapulars develop much quicker than in Herring Gull of comparable age
In flight the white rump and black tail band (already breaking) are quite striking coupled with that grey mantle....
I had been waiting on news from Clayhanger Marsh regarding the Great Northern Diver reported the previous day, it was now reidentified as a Black-throated Diver! The short journey there became a little compelling.....
