Juv large gulls, Leeds UK (1 Viewer)

[stevethehydra]

Seen at Farnley Balancing Reservoir, today (29th Jan) alongside lots of Black-headed and Common Gulls, a couple of juvenile large gulls. I assume they are either Herring or LBBG, but can they be identified securely to species?

Photos 1-3 are the same bird; 4 and 5 are 2 different birds, seen fairly close together (5 seemed somewhat smaller than 4), but I'm not sure if 5 might be the same individual as pics 1-3 (as the bird in 1-3 took off and circled round a bit while I was photographing nearer ducks, then I noticed the two birds 4 and 5).

 

[SteveClifton]

All second calendar year Herring Gulls except 4 which is a 3rd cy HeGu.

 

[lou salomon]

all herring gulls, bird in pic 4 is a 3cy (2nd winter), the others are 1st winter.

 

[stevethehydra]

Thanks both. I had been wondering if bird 4 was a Herring and 5 LBB because 5 seemed smaller and longer-winged (and perhaps less heavy bill), but would this be potentially male/female or just individual variation?