HERRING GULL

This clever and resourceful bird with its evocative mewing and cackling voice is the most familiar ‘sea-gull’ in Britain. It has a silver-grey back and wings, with black wing-tips, and candy-pink legs; juveniles are mottled brown, and attain adult plumage gradually over four years. It is declining severely on rural coasts but does better in towns, making a living by clearing up what humans leave behind, on the streets and beaches.