Black - Headed Gulls

The Black - Headed Gull, (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory, wintering further south, but some birds in the milder western-most areas of Europe are resident.

Black - Headed Gulls can be seen all over cornwall and I have noticed they are both present in rural as well as the more built up areas. I began photographing, learning about and recording them from the start of my university course. I have done keys and research to learn more about the most pleasant and better looking out of the gull genus. 

Black-headed Gulls in their winter plumage.

All year round the adult Black-headed Gull has silver grey upperparts and white underparts, and dark red bill and legs. The wings have black wing-tips and a white edge along the forewing (which separates it from the Common Gull). Up until the end of march, all black - headed gulls, in my area, have kept their winter plumage of white heads and a black dot seen behind each eye. In the summer, the adult has a dark chocolate brown head (but not nape and neck). This colour change has just started to appear, showing the summer months are soon to come.

All images are copyright to Abbi Hughes and were taken on Swanpool Beach, Falmouth. 

Location : Swanpool beach and lake
Date: 25th March 2011 (I go regularly)
Time: 1pm - 4pm (varies)
Weather: Southerly warm winds, sunny but with spells of rain. 
Map Reference: SW795313