1st-Winter: Westcliff Seafront, Essex - 5th December 2004:
This is a very typical 1st-winter Herring Gull.
Note the retained Oak leaf tertial pattern. The greater coverts are white with three dark brown notches creating three rows of brown bars across the feather group.
The median and lesser coverts are darker due to the dark notches being bunch closer together, less white space in between each notch on each feather. The scapulars have all been replaced with darkish grey feathers which have internal 'anchor' markings. The under-parts and head is pretty much as on juvenile though now has a grey tone.
1st Winter: Westcliff Seafront, Essex - 26th December 2005
There's not much difference in the basic plumage patterns compared with the previous bird. However note the minimal dark notching on the white greater coverts, almost appearing as a white band across the wing; the typical tertial patterning but now already suffering from wear and abrasion.
The scapular pattern differs slightly also from the previous bird. Here we can still see the anchor markings, though they are less obvious, with a darker base to the feather shaft giving the 'saddle' a darker overall appearance. The under-parts, neck and head as above, dingy mottle grey.
Note here also the juvenile primaries aged by the pointed tips.
1st-winter argentatus: Hole Haven Creek, Essex - 22nd January 2008
This frosty looking bird was a big bird in the field and is possibly an argentatus. Note that the mantle and scapular feathers are very pale grey with pale brown centres. The win coverts are strikingly 'dotted' with at least four narrow brown bars on the greater coverts. The tertials are a pale milky brown with broad whitish tips with some visible notching. The head is large and angular and the bills is becoming largely pale based. The under-tail coverts and rear belly area are strikingly white with no barring whilst the over plumage tone is frosty white. This was a an easy bird to detect whilst scanning through the gull flock.
1st-winter : Hole Haven Creek, Essex - 28th February 2008
At the other end of the spectrum, compared with the above, this bird is extremely dark and recalls American Herring Gull. The overall plumage is a chocolate brown whilst there is an obvious pale collar. The feathering at the bill base and chin is also whitish. The body plumage is clearly mottled, not evenly tones as in American Herring. The wing coverts seem to be typical Herring Gull however and the scapulars seem to be a mix of juvenile and 1st winter feathers. The tertials are brown with white fringes and the under-tail coverts are boldly barred. The general jizz of the bird, colour tones, greater covert patter and relatively short primary projection lend ID towards Herring rather than Lesser Black-backed Gull.
1st-winter argentatus: Leigh Cockle Sheds, Essex - 22nd October 2008
Here we have a rather brown looking individual. This bird is several months younger than the two birds above and is still in transitional plumage from juvenile to 1st-winter as can be noted by the retained juvenile scapulars. The fresh scapulars are identified by the buffer centres, clear dark feather shaft and dark transverse bars where the retained lower juvenile scapulars are solidly dark brown with white oval edges, the Oak leaf pattern.
Apart from the overall tone the bird still shows typical Herring Gull featutes: the three notches on the greater coverts creating a barred effect; the oak leaf patterned tertials; the heavy head streaking, especially around the eye; and short primary projection.
Herring Gull - Larus argentatus
First-years
1st-winter :Private Site, Essex - 7th March 2009
A lot of wear can be seen on this bird as well a fresh feathers coming through, note the inner greater covert. The fringes of the inner coverts and inner tertials have been worn off leaving deep cuts into the feather whilst the inner most tertials show nothing more than the feather shaft.
The under-parts are brown and have a barred affect which is quite unusual.
