Following a phone call about a possible Caspian Gull, I ventured out to Blackhill Quarry on the East Devon Heaths where a candidate for a juvenile Caspian Gull presented itself.
However, depite initially giving an impression of showing some features of Caspian Gull as below, it now seems that the bird is in fact a juv Yellow-legged Gull. As ever showing that gulls need a full suite of characters to be 100% confident of their id.
"snouty" appearance with fairly long thin bill, "pear shaped" head and long wings held "high in water." Photos also show strikingly clean white head and clearly defined neck band "contrasting black tertials" with neat "white thumbnail edges" and "subtly marked" greater coverts lacking any strong chequering.
Other birds on the Heaths included a juv Green Woodpecker and it was good to see plenty of Yellowhammers around.
What are doing?? Sneaking off birding like that!! Behave yourself and get down to B&Q and choose those bathroom tiles!!
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