Photographer

Dick Newell

Date

17th January 02

Location

Milton, Cambs.

 Herring Gull adult 9 Jan

Up To Herring Gulls

Herring Gull adult 27 Jan 

The first bird here is a fairly normal argenteus or argentatus Herring Gull with yellowish legs.
The second bird could be mistaken for a michahellis, but it is too dark even for that, the primaries are far too short and one might expect some red in the gape with a bill this lurid. Either this is an "omissus" type, but I think more likely a hybrid Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull. Note the very broad white tertial fringe, a known characteristic of hybrids (per Peter Adriaens).

 Herring Gull adult 9 Jan

Up To Herring Gulls

Herring Gull adult 27 Jan