What better way to kick off the 2013 winter gull season, a visit to Southend Pier ...
I arrived at high tide with no Med Gull's visible over the 2hr stay max total was 9 birds which is more than expected ...
All age groups are moulting into winter plumage some more advanced than others ...
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Most noticable in the moult is the hood with the forehead, lores and chin now showing white feathers coming through ...
The inner primaries all dropped ...
The coverts are also being replaced ...
A more advanced bird with the hood well moulted and inner primaries nearly grown ..
Into 2nd . Winter
Hood and inner primaries are most noticable in the moult ..
Again a more advanced bird, hood nearly moulted out and inner primaries P1-5 replaced P6-7 dropped.
Juvenile into 1st. Winter
Only a few covert feathers replaced ...
No ringed birds seen ...
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