Scandinavian Herring Gulls

A loaf-chucking session at Gremista harbour, Shetland, during my recent visit produced some close encounters with three argentatus Herring Gulls – and seemingly birds from the northern part of their range to boot. 'Scandinavian Herring Gulls' are genuinely quite scarce in southern England. In a typical winter I may see one or two along the Sussex coast, and I've only ever had a handful locally. Indeed, in some South-West counties they are description birds.

First-winter

With much retained juvenile plumage (the scapular moult is most notable), this was a truly eye-catching beast and stood out from the local birds of the same age. Swarthy, dark and serious-looking, with dark underparts and pale undertail coverts.

Third-winter

A really striking bird with a very mean expression, heavily built and lots of streaking on the head and neck. Brutish, with the mantle shade a notably darker grey, and rather bright pink legs. Lots of white in the primary tips and broad white tips to the tertials and secondaries.

Adult (female?)

This bird stood out the most, with bright pink legs, a very dark mantle and limited streaking in the head (likely due to the time of year). It gave slight Vega Gull vibes! This bird was especially dainty, for argentatus, with a rather cute head and slighter size – maybe it was a female. As with the third-winter, there is a lot of white in the primary tips and broad white tips to the tertials and secondaries.