I have posted these images of Black Backed Gulls. I have always found it quite hard to tell the difference between the two species, Great Black Backed Gull and Lesser Black Backed. You can tell the difference in these photographs, the back/mantle colour is quite dramatic in the first picture, that’s a Great Black Backed and in the next, a Lesser Black Backed there is an obvious difference in colour.

Great Black Backed Gull

Firstly notice the inky black back and the pinkish feet.

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Now with this Lesser Black Backed you can clearly see the different back colour and although the feet are under water note that they are dullish yellow and not pinkish.

This is the same Lesser Black Backed and you can see that it is in a moult with primary feathers not completely grown out yet. It is my understanding that Lesser Black Backed Gulls are less common in our area so I was pleased to see and photograph this one today. So, for the record, Greater has an inky black back and pinkish feet. Lesser is not so dark and has yellowish feet as well as being smaller.
Both of these birds were taken at Berry Head, there was a strong on shore wind and the birds were hovering and swooping making photography and observation really good fun. I had specifically returned to Berry Head to get photos of the Kestrel seen last week but I didn’t mange to get any good close photos even though it did put in an appearance and as I watched it it did a s swoop down towards prey.

I apologise for the quality but thought it was worth putting up just for the record.