9th June 2016 - Topsham
June isn't peak month for gull-watching but today was probably my best so far this year in terms of interest. First a brief morning look in at Bowling Green Marsh for a 2cy Little Gull (thanks to Dave Boult for the call), which was promptly joined by a classy 4cy/3rd summer Mediterranean Gull - you know, like a full adult but with just a small black spot or two on an outer primary. Then with low tide about 16.30 and a cloudy sky forecast it looked like Topsham Rec was the place to be in the afternoon. The alarming lack of small gulls continues but a good turnover of Herring Gulls looked promising. Sure enough, there was a nice pair of yellow legs and not attached to a Lesser Black-backed Gull.
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| Yellow-legged Gull 3cy - 9/6/2016 Topsham Recreation Ground |
It was only a tiny bit darker than nearby Herring Gulls (which is a little odd, I admit) but the really bright yellow legs are a bit of a giveaway. Another good clue is the relatively advanced (for early June) state of moult. P1 and 2 are new 3rd generation adult-type feathers, p3 and 4 growing.
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| Yellow-legged Gull 3cy - 9/6/2016 Topsham Recreation Ground |
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| Yellow-legged Gull 3cy - 9/6/2016 Topsham Recreation Ground |
Oh, that's lovely...
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