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Post date: Mar 18, 2011 2:36:7 PM
After spending too long looking at Common Gulls this winter I finally managed to find a credible candidate for a heinei ssp. bird from out east somewhere (well, east of Norfolk!). This bird was with a whole bunch of Common Gulls at Coltishall on Wednesday that briefly were dropping in to bathe and drink before drifting off again. Unfortunately the day was a bit of a 'driek' so I had to crank the ISO up...
Adult Common Gull presumed heinei. Bright yellow/orange bill with dark (reddish?) diffuse sub-terminal band, slightly darker upper-parts with pale iris. The structure of the head appears slightly more angular, less rounded than adjacent birds, also maybe slightly bulkier.
Adult Common gull presumed heinei. From a different angle. Head still not particularly rounded with dusky yellow iris.
Adult Common Gull presumed heinei. Showing leg colour consistant with the yellow/orange of the bill.
All quite subtle stuff, but different never the less. Compare the above images with the Kamtchatka Gull here not alot between them initially, but checkout the bill, especially the gony-deal angle! (per RM) The search continues!
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