BHG - persistent summer hood, Greystones, E Ireland (1 Viewer)

[pianoman]

Hi - Probably nothing unusual here; this picture was taken late November among a group of BH and Med Gulls. Perhaps I am googling the wrong thing but can't find much data on lingering breeding plumage like this.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It's more likely to be the early acquisition of breeding plumage rather than lingering from the previous breeding season. It's not too unusual to see BH Gulls like this through the winter.

 

[pianoman]

Thanks Andrew

 

[Strontium Dog]

I've seen them like this in winter too. Confused the hell out of me at first. I just put it down to gulls being weird.

 

[SteveClifton]

Agree with Andrew-early acquisition of next year's breeding plumage. Two of my local roosts (2000-3000 each) both have 3-4 similar birds at the moment and have for the past 2-3 weeks.

 

[pianoman]

Thanks guys. I'll try to track it down again over Christmas and see how things have changed. Idly wondering if it is an advantage or disadvantage to be ahead of the breeding game!

 

[Gander]

I was watching a flock of 300+ yesterday, and three of them were showing significant hood colouration.