Phil's photos with the keyword: Gull

The European herring gull (Larus argentatus) is a large gull up to 26 inches (66 cm) long. One of the best known of all gulls along the shores of Western Europe, it was once abundant. It breeds across Northern Europe, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Some European herring gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate further south in winter, but many are permanent residents, e.g. in Ireland, Britain, Iceland, or on the North Sea shores. European herring gulls have a varied diet including fish, crustaceans and dead animals as well as some plants. While herring gull numbers appear to have been harmed in recent years, possibly by fish population declines and competition, they have proved able to survive in human-adapted areas and can often be seen in towns acting as scavengers. (Wikipedia). Camera: Nikon D500 Lens: AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Software: Nikon Capture NX2

This gull is 38–44 cm (15–17 in) long with a 94–105 cm (37–41 in) wingspan. The summer adult has a chocolate-brown head (not black, although does look black from a distance), pale grey body, black tips to the primary wing feathers and a red bill and legs. The hood is lost in winter leaving just 2 dark spots. Immature birds have a mottled pattern of brown spots over most of the body. It breeds in colonies in large reed beds or marshes, or on islands in lakes, nesting on the ground. Like most gulls it is highly gregarious in winter both when feeding or in evening roosts. The black-headed gull is a bold and opportunistic feeder. It eats insects, fish, seeds, worms, scraps and carrion in towns or invertebrates in ploughed fields with equal relish. It is a noisy species, especially in colonies, with a familiar "kree-ar" call. Its scientific name means laughing gull. It can be found over much of Europe except Spain, Italy and Greece. It is also found in Japan and Eastern China. It is an occasional visitor to the east coast of North America. (Wikipedia). Camera: Nikon D500 Lens: AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Software: Nikon Capture NX2

The lesser black-backed gull was described by Linnaeus in his 18th-century work, Systema Naturae and it still bears its original name of Larus fuscus. The scientific name is from Latin. Larus appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird and fuscus meant black or brown. A confusable species is the great black-backed gull. The lesser is a much smaller bird with slimmer build, yellow rather than pinkish legs and smaller white "mirrors" at the wing tips. The adults have black or dark grey wings and back. The bill is yellow with a red spot which the young peck at, inducing feeding. (Wikipedia. Edited) Camera: Nikon D300s Processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

The Great Black Backed Gull (Larus marinus). A very large, thick-set black-backed gull with a powerful beak. Adults are blacker than the smaller Lesser Black-Backed gull. It has a heavy flight and can look quite hunched when perched. It will fight off other gulls and chase them to snatch food. Found around the coasts in the breeding season. At other times of year it can be found wherever gulls congregate - at reservoir roosts, rubbish tips inland and bays and harbours. (RSPB website). Camera: Nikon D300s. Lens: AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens. Processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

Photographed in Brierfield, North-West England, which is about 35 miles / 56 Kilometers from the nearest coast. There is a canal nearby but no large rivers or lakes so I don't know what attracts these Gulls to this area. They often arrive in a flock, fly around in circles for a while and then disappear for a few days before returning again. I think this is either a "common gull" or a "herring gull"....they are very similar in appearance and therefore difficult to identify. Camera: Nikon D300s Lens: AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Processed with Nikon Capture NX2

Although we are about 35 miles from the nearest sea, we often get "invaded" by flocks of gulls. This one was photographed in Brierfield, North-West England, using a Nikon D300s fitted with an AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens in "High Speed" mode and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.