This first-winter, second-calendar year Scandinavian Herring Gull Larus argentatus argentatus showed itself well yesterday.
Individuals such as this one in predominantly juvenile plumage make them easily distinguishable from our local European Herring Gulls Larus argentatus argenteus which have all their scapulars replaced by 2nd-generation feathers at this time of year.
The strong posture, the predominantly juvenile plumage with only a few scapulars replaced (mainly on the right side), and the lack of wear in the tertials and wing coverts all point to this being a Scandinavian Herring Gull. Leiden, The Netherlands, 28 January 2014.
In this image, note the first-generation mantle and scapulars with just a few second-generation feathers in between. Leiden, The Netherlands, 28 January 2014.
Note the mottled flank and belly as well as the sloping forehead and heavy bill on this individual. Leiden, The Netherlands, 28 January 2014.
The right side of the scapulars shows a few more replaced feathers than the left side. Leiden, The Netherlands, 28 January 2014.
Gulls to the Horizon 