Black Headed Gull – forty years ago in my nature notebooks

Forty years ago as a boy I was happy keeping my nature notebooks. On holiday in Wales I saw a Black Headed Gull and noted it down: ‘Smaller than a Herring Gull’, I wrote, ‘Grey, black tipped wings with red bill and legs and a chocolate brown head.’

Black Headed Gull - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Today I went looking for Black Headed Gulls again. This time to photograph them and blog about them. Sure enough, there’s one, with its black tipped wings and red bill and legs.

Black Headed Gull - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Later, forty years ago, I saw Black Headed Gulls again, this time one in full summer plumage in winter. That’s something I haven’t been able to find again. Today, all of the Black Headed Gulls are firmly in winter plumage with just a hint of black behind the eye. They’re beautiful.

Black Headed Gull - The Hall of Einar - (c) David Bailey (not the)

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