A short visit with c300 noisy
Black-headed Gulls for company. I scanned through every individual hoping for a Med Gull and cam across this bizarre aberrant BHG. Sadly, it was only to be in view for less than 30 seconds!! All parts of the plumage (except the head) were pristine pure white, reminiscent of a Med but with a pale brownish head and structurally, a BHG. Apart from the head and pale eye, leucistic but not 100% so. Annoyingly it was right at the back of the spit so I couldn't see the rear end...
Suddenly the whole flock lifted off revealing pure white wings and tail (except for brownish wash to the underwing). Partially leucistic indeed and with showy bright red bill and legs!
John Reeves had seen (presumably) the same bird on the Mere that morning! It's a gull worth keeping an eye out for. I've see a 100% leucistic BHG at VP years ago but this is even more interesting and shame it didn't reappear for more pics. Keep an eye out for it!!
