PICTURE GALLERY
Gulls
Mediterranean Gulls are scarce passage migrants and winter visitors to Rutland Water. 7 were recorded here in 1999 but usually only individuals are seen.The all-white flight feathers separate the Mediterranean Gull from the Black-headed Gull (below) and it has a shorter, thicker bill. This adult bird in summer plumage was seen by Matthew Berriman on 10 March 2002 from Goldeneye Hide.
(Matthew says that the bird in the background on the right is a Common Gull and probably had a stick in its mouth. Gulls in general seem to enjoy playing with things. They will often fly up, drop something, and then try to catch it before it lands.)
The excellent picture below, again by Matthew Berriman, clearly shows the field marks of a first winter Mediterranean Gull . The pattern on the spread wing shows the pale grey mid wing panel and small white spots towards the dark wing tips. The picture was taken on 30 September 2002.
Black-headed Gulls are present at Rutland Water throughout the year with tens of thousands usually present in January. In 2000 and 2001 pairs bred on the reserve for the first time.
This picture was taken by Tim Cadicott on 5 September 2001 from Lapwing hide. It shows an adult bird which has already lost its breeding plumage. Notice that the winter plumage includes a dark spot behind the eye. |
 Here is a adult in breeding plumage, with the characteristic brown-black hood. It was pictured near the dam by Matthew Berriman on 23 March 2002. |
Another picture from Matthew Berriman showing a juvenile.
Richard Fray was in Shoveler hide on Saturday June 9th 2001, looking for the first-summer Spoonbill, and also found this adult summer Little Gull on Lagoon III flying around with the Common Terns.
The Yellow-legged Gull has recently been recognised as a separate species from the Herring Gull, which it closely resembles. This is a bird in its 3rd summer, so still has not achieved full adult plumage and yellow legs. It was recorded on Lagoon I on 30 June 2002 by Matthew Berriman.
Two views of a 1st-summer Caspian Gull taken by Matthew Berriman on 21 April 2003. Matthew says "Note especially the very white head, the long, parallel sided, all dark bill, the pear-shaped head and long wings." Below is an adult, again taken by Matthew Berriman on 1 Februaru 2004.
Picture: Matthew Berriman
Common Gulls are present throughout the year, with several thousand gathering in the winter roosts.
Picture: Matthew Berriman
Picture: Matthew Berriman
Great Black-backed Gulls are fairly common from late October to early March. They are quite scarce during the summer months when a few immatures remain to predate the breeding waterbirds