all birds of the race graellsii unless otherwise stated
Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus
Juveniles
Juvenile: Pitsea Tip, Essex - July 2009
Note the tail pattern: the tail is mostly white with a broad dark brown narrowly white tipped band with a series of narrow dark bands up to the feather bases. The upper-tail coverts are pale brownish.
There is a distinct pale window on the inner primaries which is almost as prominent as on Herring Gull however note the greater covert pattern which becomes progressively more solidly dark towards the outer feathers. Compare with juvenile Yellow-legged Gull by clicking here.
Juvenile: Pitsea Tip, Essex - 31st July 2010
Note the very attenuated rear end and contrasting plumage.
The bills is slender with a long tapering tip.
There is heavy streaking around the eye giving a mugged 'black' eye look
Juvenile: Pitsea Tip, Essex - 4th September 2010
A typical individual, note the very long rear end of the bird, delicate proportions, small head and contrasting plumage.
The ground colour is white whilst the upper-parts are very dark brown with feathers fringed narrowly with white lacking the bold notched 'oak' leaf patterning of Herring Gull.
Juvenile: Pitsea Tip, Essex - 27th August 2011
A very frosty and contrasting bird which could be an intermedius; compare with the typical graellsii above.
Note the very pale underside and broad cold whitish fringes to the scapulars and wing coverts.