European Herring Gull
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Larus argentatus
Common & widespread with 14,000 breeding pairs in Britain plus 6,000 in Ireland. 730,000 birds winter.
Also breeds in mainland Europe & North Eastern North America.
Breeding Adults have a light grey back and upper wings and white head and underparts.
The wingtips are black with white spots known as "mirrors".
The bill is yellow with a red spot and a ring of bare yellow skin is seen around the pale eye.
The legs are normally pink at all ages.
Non-Breeding Adults have brown streaks on their heads and necks. Male and Female plumage are identical at all stages of development, but Adult Males are often larger.
Juveniles start off as mainly brown & takes 4 years to reach Adult plumage.
They have a laughing call.