BIRD 3

Here is a gull flying and so slightly masking some of the features. There is enough on show, though, for the ID to be clinched. The wings and mantle are a mid-grey colour, without any dark brown feathers of a youngster, implying this is an adult bird. The bill is wholly yellow and seems short and pointed, suggesting this is one of the smaller species. This rules out the larger pale-headed gulls (such as Herring) and we are looking at either a Common Gull or the oft-forgotten Kittiwake. A look at the wing-tips shows they are jet black with no white spots (with a thin leading edge of black); but Common Gull has obvious white ‘mirrors’. Back to the head end, the dark spot behind the eye and the grey ‘shawl’ confirm this is an adult winter Kittiwake.

KEY FEATURES

†Pale to mid-grey wings

†Clean black wingtips lacking white spots or ‘mirrors’

†Fine, short, wholly yellow bill

†Dark spot behind eye and grey ‘shawl’

Thin yellow bill Black cheek spot and grey ‘shawl’ Dipped in black ink wingtips