A second-winter Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis michahellis at Pett beach, East Sussex, on the 21^st December 2008

Part of the assemblage of Gulls on Pett beach including an adult winter Scandinavian Herring Gull Larus argentatus argentatus (top left - this image portrays its dark grey mantle, extensive white tertial crescent, extensive white tip to p10, heavily streaked head, pale eye and large pinkish based bill), a second-winter Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis michahellis (top right – showing its dark grey mantle and scapulars, mainly dark grey median coverts contrasting with its vermiculated lesser and greater coverts, a single replaced white-tipped grey tertial, its long black primaries, its predominantly white head save for its dark eye-mask, its pale eye, flesh-coloured based and tipped bill and pink legs), a third-winter argenteus Herring Gull (bottom left) and second-winter argenteus Herring Gull (bottom right) December 2008 (David Cooper).

Second-winter Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis, Pett beach, East Sussex, December 2008 (David Cooper). Notably longer-winged than Herring Gull this image portrays its primary projection beyond its tail. Deeper-breasted than Herring Gull, and with its larger head and stronger bill, these combined features give this species a powerful appearance.

Second-winter Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis, Pett beach, East Sussex, December 2008 (David Cooper). Appearance is so often conveyed by stance - here it appears far less powerful than in the previous image.

Second-winter Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis, Pett beach, East Sussex, December 2008 (David Cooper). Far more advanced than the similarly aged second-winter argenteus Herring Gull in the foreground, this image portrays the Yellow-legged Gull’s combination of all-grey upperparts, white rump and solid black subterminal tail-bar, being a combination that is very rarely seen in Herring Gull.