Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gulls are another one of those species that take a bit of spotting and a bit of luck but once you know what you are looking for they are quite distinctive. I had been told that there a few on the mud flats at Topsham, and I had good directions to the recreation grounds which run along side the Exe. At low tide you have exposed mud beds which are good for Gulls and a few rareties turn up from time to time amongst the Black Headed Gulls. It isn't any better than any where else as far as the birds are concerned but you just get a good view. Not having seen Mediterranean Gulls many times before I was hoping that they would stand out amongst the common species. I needn't have worried because they were so easy to sort out. I tell you this because I am sure that you will find it useful if you are ever on the look out for them yourself. Firstly, they vaguely resemble Black Headed Gulls but the ones I saw...... 2 in fact ...... were much less active. They seemed to stand around looking quite bewildered as the Black Heads scurried around getting involved in everything. They are much stockier and less sleek with adults having a black head rather than dark chocolate, a stout beak and a VERY distinctive incomplete white eye ring that is very noticeable in all plumages. The young bird in the photograph even though not sporting the full black head still shows the white eye ring as you can see. The photographs are of birds at around 75 yards away so they are consequently a bit rough but I am sure you get the idea!