First-Winter Caspian Gull Still in Residence at Shawell

The first-winter Caspian Gull I first saw on September 28th was still in the Shawell area yesterday.

First-Winter Caspian Gull - note that a few lesser and median coverts have already been replaced and also the pattern of the tertials

I initially saw it distantly in the sand quarry and then later on it appeared at the A5 Lagoons. Digiscoped shots don't really do it justice, as it is a really smart looking young gull. It is in post juvenile moult at present, but by the time winter arrives it will be one of the really posh looking first-winters which really stand out in a crowd.

First-Winter Caspian Gull - note the 'full nappy', which is typical of this species

First-Winter Caspian Gull - note the plain brown lesser and median coverts