Strange 'Herring Gull', Bempton, England (1 Viewer)

[Brett Richards]

I don't think I have posted this before, apologies if I have. This bird was in a field between Bempton and Flamborough, East Yorks, on 7 April 2013. At the time it was considered to be a (very) strange Herring Gull, but it has always bothered me. Surely something else must be involved?

Brett

 

[lou salomon]

it's a Herring Gull looking out of season, in nonbreeding plumage. The reason probably is lack of sexual hormones which otherwise would induce yellow colour of bill and a white head in breeding plumage.