Close up's - the head 10th Jan
The head is square -ish(!) with maybe a bigger bill than a Herring Gull but this is not clear. It is quite possible this shape could place it as an Argentatus but it is within the normal variation of YLG's. The eye is not as pale as normal in a HG. The orbital ring is 'orange' which could favour a YLG. The bill colouration is quite black supporting the call of a 3rd winter gull, but is this colouration 'real'? Could it be due to oil etc?
There is fine head streaking only around the eye and on top of the head which is typical of a YLG. Most of the local HG's were showing extensive coarse dark spots all over their heads and necks at this stage of the year (early Jan).
