Herring Gull, adult 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 31st January 2009
Note that most features for argentatus Herring Gull are present in this bird with the exception of the yellow, not pink, legs.
Herring Gull, adult 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 31st January 2009
The wing stretch image below is by curtesy of Pete Livermore.
The tip of P10 is completely white. The white mirror on P9 is split, an oval on the inner web whilst on the outer web the white extends to the tip. P6 has a broad black band whilst on P5 there is not much more than a small black wedge on the outer web and a dark smudge on the inner web.
Herring Gull - Larus argentatus
'omissus type'
Herring Gull, 3rd-winter 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 7th March 2009
Digiscoped with Swarovski Scope and Nikon P5000
The legs are again bright and strikingly yellow
Herring Gull, adult-winter 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 13th February 2010
Although the legs of this bird are not as bright yellow as the birds above there is a distinct yellow tinge to them, this was far more apparent in the field than in this image.
Herring Gull, adult-winter 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 8th January 2011
At the time of the observation this bird seemed good for a Yellow-legged Gull; yellow legs, apparent long primary project, however the upper-parts in the field were the same as the surrounding Herring Gulls, appear a little darker than life in the image below, whilst the legs are short and the primary pattern seems as argentatus Herring Gull. The head and bill also appear as Herring Gull whilst the eye is very pale yellow.
This bird does appear to be an Omissus rather than a michahellis and was one of several brightly coloured yellow legged individuals present today
Herring Gull, adult-winter 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 5th March 2011
Very reminiscent of adult Yellow-legged Gull however the upper-parts shades is as Herring Gull and when seen next to a normal pinked legged bird there was no difference. Other typical Herring Gull features can be seen in this bird but the legs are especially bright on this individual.
Herring Gull, adult-winter 'omissus' type, Private Site, Essex - 31st December 2011
Apart from the leg colour this bird is otherwise a typical Herring Gull in plumage and structure. The legs are almost orange.