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Larus argentatus argentatus

Above: Adult (Essex, 21 January 2012)

The near-pristine breeding dress of this northern gull is rather advanced for this time in the season. Most of the northern Herrings we observed this weekend were still in winter plumage.

The bright orbital ring is orangey-red rather than the scarlet-red of its southern cousins (viz Yellow-legged). The pure white head with its neat, compact feathering is surely indicative of early moult rather than wear. The breeding colours of the bill are also well developed.

Compare the above bird with this similar individual photographed at the same site on the same day and which still has some head moult to complete.