Thursday, January 12, 2023
There was a nice display of immature gull plumages on the quayside this grey afternoon, not least that of a white winger.
I think this is an Iceland gull, although I'm not sure if it's 1st or 2nd winter. The eye is still dark but there seem to be some silvery-grey feathers of adult plumage coming through. I had to take a second picture to show the white primaries with dark arrow markings.
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It joined the other gulls when they swooped down to harass a grey seal in the harbour and looked lovely as it flew around in the worsening light. I never get tired of seeing white wingers. Another one was present, which I think is probably a hybrid viking gull - perhaps the same one back again.
I can't be absolutely certain, but this gull's eye looks somehow too "surprised" for a glaucous. To my mind, the glaucous eye is frownier, a bit bad-tempered - but that could be my imagination. Anyway, the return of the rain ended my brief outing and sent me back to my car and home.
// posted by Christine @ 1:16 PM 
