Review of the 'White-Winged Gulls at Shawell

We have now been watching the area around The Cotesbach Landfill site for 11 years. The landfill site attracts thousands of gulls on an almost daily basis, but it's the Arctic species that create the most excitement. Glaucous and Iceland Gulls can be seen in small numbers throughout winter and into spring. Occasionally a Kumlien's Gull is identified although they are very rare, but two were seen in 2019.

Pale Juvenile Glaucous Gull, April 16th 2018, Shawell Sandpit

The number being recorded at Shawell/Cotesbach landfill site has increased in recent years. This is probably due to high numbers of gulls visiting the sandpit off Gibbet Lane. Previously, only a fraction of the gulls in the area visited the A5 Lagoons, but now more are being seen.

Juvenile Iceland Gull on April 21st at Shawell Sandpit.

Total so far

Year	Iceland Gull	Glaucous Gull	Kumlien’s Gull
2019	8	7	2
2018	14	7	0
2017	4	9	0
2016	3	4	0
2015	1	2	0
2014	3	1	0
2013	2	7	0
2012	5	2	0
2011	1	0	0
2010	1	0	0
2009	3	0	1
11 yr totals	45	39	3

So when is the best time to search for these beauties? 

Below are two graphs showing the months in which new birds have arrived. February and March are the peak times for Iceland Gull, but January is the best time to see Glaucous Gull at Shawell. Iceland Gulls can arrive well into spring.

So what age is the most common? Juvenile is the most common age for Glaucous and Iceland Gull. However, second-winter Iceland Gulls are also quite common. 

Identification is straight forward as size wise and structurally they are not at all similar, however, ageing is not so straightforward. Compare the brutish look of the Glaucous Gull below to the gentle features of the Iceland Gull. Iceland Gulls typically are obviously long winged and lack the tertial step of Glaucous Gull.

Second-winter Glaucous Gull.

Third-winter Iceland Gull.