Mediterranean Gull - 2nd winter, Southend Pier, Essex 11th November 2007
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd winter, Southend Pier, Essex 11th November 2007
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd winter, Southend Pier, Essex 11th November 2007
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd summer, Southend Seafront, Essex 18th July 2008
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd summer, Paglesham Lagoon, Essex 20th June 2008
2nd-winter Southend Pier, Essex 11th January 2009
Note the differences in the extent of the amount of black in the wing tip of these two birds. Some 2nd-winters can have nothing more than a faint greyish mark in their primaries which can render them very adult like.
2nd-winter, Southend Pier, Essex 11th January 2009
The upper-wing pattern is more striking than that found on the under-wing
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Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus
Second-years
The areas specialty gull. Present virtually the year round the best locations to 'easily' see this beautiful gull are the end of Southend Pier and Westcliff Seafront by Rossi Ice Cream Parlour. In winter the pier regularly holds upto 30 birds which include many colour ringed birds whilst Westcliff can often have between 8-10 birds. Where ever gulls gather, there are a number of favoured parks and playing fields, your are likely to find at least one Med.
In late summer Southend Seafront opposite Esplanade House just east of the Sealife Centre is where the counties largest concentrations gather. Numbers steadily build up from late June and by late July/early August in excess of 130 birds can be present at any one time. By this time at least a fifth will be juveniles with many colour ringed. It is likely that many birds pass through during the summer and it estimated that a minimum of between 200-250 birds use the site in summer.
