New Iceland Gull at Shawell

This new Iceland Gull was spotted by Steve Lister at Shawell yesterday and luckily it was still present today when I sneaked over.

It's quite a large bird, equal in size to many Herring Gulls and just like many 'white-wingers' it sits high on the water. It is most likely a third-winter based on its plumage and its very pale eyes. However, its bill is more second-winter like. Ageing gulls can be tricky and is often more of an educated guess. Colour-ringed birds show how difficult it can be. Some age fast and others slowly.

Its round head, long primary projection and greenish bill rule out Glaucous Gull.