Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls

A morning and early afternoon of almost constant heavy rainfall which meant I didn't venture out until mid afternoon. I decided to head to the RSPB reserve and check the gull roost on Burrowes. Over the past few days the number of roosting Great Black-backed gulls has gradually reduced or the later tide time change is affecting the number of visiting gulls that i'm seeing. A few days ago there were at least 1,000 Great Black-backed Gulls coming onto Burrowes to roost and bathe, today maybe 300 whilst I was there but still some good views opportunities to look through and check for Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls.

I was also trying out some different camera settings in the relatively gloomy light conditions.

Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls (left and middle) and an adult Caspian Gull (right)

The Caspian Gull didn't hang around and flew off after finishing bathing. 

In the background is another adult Yellow-legged Gull.

On the left is yet another adult Yellow-legged Gull and on the right is a 3CY or a 2nd winter or 2nd Cycle, Caspian Gull

My understanding is that by now i.e. mid-January adult Herring Gull (Argenteus) should have a pure white head and Argentatus will have some streaks on the head. Maybe it's not as simple as that but I picked up this 'dark' mantled gull with a streaky head and initially thought, due to the colour of the mantle that it might be an adult yellow-legged gull. However, the head streaking didn't feel right and despite it washing, I couldn't make out the leg colour. Photos revealed a pink leg colour.

The dark mantle, bubblegum pink legs and long grey primary tongues with little black on the wingtips point to an Argentatus Herring Gull to me.

 

Adult Caspian Gull (left front), adult Yellow-legged Gull left (rear) and a 2nd winter Caspian Gull middle showing the dark centred tertials.

Altogether I had 6 Yellow-legged Gulls and 8 Caspian Gulls.