That’s a question I've been asked several times today due to a Yellow legged Gull that didn't have yellow legs. Why hasn't it got yellow legs you might ask? Well, it’s because it’s a first winter bird, i.e. a bird hatched this year and now moulted from juvenile plumage to first winter plumage. Yellow legged gulls are not very common at Radipole which is surprising given that they breed in numbers in France and other places such as Portland bill and Ferrybridge get them regularly at the right time of year.
This bird show all the characteristics such as that large bill, whitish head, contrasting mantle compared to the coverts (the feathers on the side), long wings and legs and then a white tail with a black band and a pale 'window' in the longer flight feathers which are called the primaries. If anyone wants to find out more about gull identification (I would imagine there are thousands of you!) call into the visitor centre and ask for me. I must finish by promising not to blog about every rare or interesting gull in Weymouth as for some reason (can't imagine why!) some folk don't find gulls as fascinating as I do!