London Calling (I live by the river)

I had a few minutes to spare in London today. The cormorants were – for once – conspicuous by their absence (I saw only one, fleetingly, as it flew past). The gulls, on the other hand, were there in number… and variety.

The black-headed gulls were the most numerous, with small flocks gathered on the mud at the river's edge

black headed gullsBlack-headed gulls, adult and juvenile

black headed gullsBlack-headed gull by the Thames

The herring gulls were fewer in number, but this pair seemed intent on addressing the population imbalance.

herring gullsHerring gulls

The highlight though, for me, was a pair of lesser black backed gulls. Note their yellow legs (probably the easiest means of identification).

lesser black backed gullLesser black backed gull
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. cakkleberrylane

    5 Mar 2009

    Very nice shots. Why do some have pink feet and others yellow?

  2. chthoniid

    5 Mar 2009

    I like the Clash reference [;)].

  3. CedarFox

    5 Mar 2009

    Nice set of pictures :up:

  4. Words

    5 Mar 2009

    Brendan, such a great song!

  5. Words

    5 Mar 2009

    Eric, thanks!

  6. Words

    5 Mar 2009

    Lois, I think they colour code them for people like me who have trouble telling them apart 😉

  7. Ukwildlife

    5 Mar 2009

    lol I often find myself humming that song as I get the train into London.
    Great pics. There are a few black backed gulls in London, Im fairly sure there are some usually coastal Greater black backed gulls in St. James Park, but when I see them Im never sure (they look big next to the cormorants/pelicans though).

  8. annoushkiss

    5 Mar 2009

    I like the picture of black backed gull with yellow legs most of all :up: though all the rest are also very nice 🙂

  9. SittingFox

    5 Mar 2009

    That's a great shot of the lesser black-backed! :up: And I like your comment about the colour coding 😆

  10. Words

    5 Mar 2009

    Thanks Anna!

  11. Words

    5 Mar 2009

    Neil, eminently hummable isn't it! As for the black-backed gulls, my field guide suggests the 'greater' have blacker backs and flesh-coloured legs. The first thing that was noticeable about the ones yesterday was that they were dark, not true black. The legs confirmed it.

  12. Words

    5 Mar 2009

    Thanks Adele! It was nice to get such a clear shot of the 'lesser'. They have such great feet.

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