Re 23rd November Gull post

Hi Jon, I've just seen your post re the odd gull in Aberystwyth. It looks like a 3rd winter Lesser Black-back - argentatus would have a lighter mantle, different structure and would almost certainly be larger; this is quite a small bird when compared to the Herring Gulls it is next to. 3rd winter as it still has an immature type bill, there appears to be a hint of brown in the wing coverts and the longest primaries don't yet appear to have acquired white mirrors. The fact that it is still an immature bird explains the non-yellow legs. Leg colour can be quite variable at this age ranging from the expected yellow to fleshy grey.