Lesser black backed Gull – Larus fuscus

The Lesser Black-backed gull is a species that I see often but haven't photographed as much as I should. I hve seen them regularly over the summer amongst a flock of Herring Gulls that get fed regularly by visitors to Exeter Quay. I am sure its not unusual for them to be in an urban environment but they are an attractive species, at least to my eyes, and I always enjoy seeing them. Their most atractive feature is their bright yellow legs and if you see a gull with a dark black back, check the colour of the feet, they will be yellow in a Lesser Black Backed but pinkish in the Greater Black backed. However, as an extra confusion there is also a Yellow-legged Gull which is very closely related to the Herring Gull that we are all very familiar with. Herring Gulls have pinkish feet unlike the close relative. The gull above is a bird in its second autumn, by next spring….. its third year, it will be in full adult plumage. At the moment it i's gradually acquirring it's new adult plumage. You can see this better in the image below.