Gulls: A Beginner's Guide to their identification.

 As a qualified ECB cricket coach one thing that I frequently mention on courses is the phrase, "The hardest thing about cricket is keeping it simple." In many ways the same applies to gull identification. You can make it as hard as you like, trying to identify a 2nd year or 3rd year Herring gull. Even experts come unstuck with some identifications so this guide looks at the ADULT breeding and non breeding plumages of our common gulls, the species found locally on a regular basis.

It really is not too tricky once the beginner has a basic grasp of the key features of each species. Top tip is to get out with a pair of bins and study a flock of gulls and immediately it can be seen that there are glaring differences in leg colour, mantle colour, size and bill shape and colour.

Few phrases that are helpful for identifying gulls:

Saddle: This is the area made up of the mantle (area behind the head) and the scapulars, the wing feathers closest to the body. In all gulls in this guide, the saddle is somewhere on the grey scale. This colouring is measured on the Kodak Scale, where virtually white is Kodak 1 and almost jet black is Kodak 10. A standard summer plumaged Herring gull is Kodak 5 just for reference. 

Mirrors: When the wings are folded back or in flight, species show white areas at the end of the wing feathers (the primaries.)These white areas are called mirrors and can be useful in identification.

Orbital eye ring: A circle of colour around the eye.

Basically, there are 5 common species of gull: Black headed, Herring, Lesser black backed, Greater black backed and Common. Also others that are possible at certain times of year are Kittiwake, Mediterranean, Little, Yellow legged, Iceland and Glaucous. The last two are often referred to as "white wingers" for obvious reasons. The taxonomic names for gulls are all a little mixed with Larus glaucoides being Iceland, whilst common names are also misleading as the Black headed gull is brown headed in breeding plumage, and the Mediterranean gull can be found in Norfolk.

Copyright prevents me from adding a diagram showing the topography of gulls but do take a look here, scroll down a little for a set of useful diagrams.

Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide: A Gull Book Review - 10,000 Birds

Anyway, enough of the "complicated stuff."

Black headed Gull (Larus ribibundus)

The smallest of our common gulls and fairly easy to pick out in any flock of mixed gulls. A bright red bill and bright red legs is enough to secure the id in almost all cases. (See Mediterranean gull)

Non breeding plumage:

A light shade of grey on the saddle, red bare parts and several darker dots behind the eye. As the bird moults towards breeding plumage these dots begin to expand into 2 darker head stripes before increasing in size. Wing tips are black. The head , breast and belly are white as is the leading edge of the wings.

Below are all examples of BHG in winter/non breeding plumage. Note the white edges to the wings in photo 3 and 5 and the variation of head patterning with the dark spots and stripes. Note also in photos 4,5 and 6 the black ends to the primary feathers when in flight. All photos taken in the UK either locally (Amwell, Southern Country Park, Grange Paddocks or Norfolk and Dungeness)

Also, note in photos 4 and 5 the very tidy and immaculately white tail.

Breeding plumage:

Easy enough, really. The same as non breeding plumage apart from the moult into an immaculate chocolate brown head and slightly darker red of bill and legs.

Photo 1 here shows a bird not fully moulted into full breeding plumage, unlike photos 2 and 3. Final photo shows that the remaining plumage is as before, White edges to wings, white tail and black ends to primary feathers. Adult gulls can vary as to when they take on breeding plumage but it is usually between January and March, with some variation. The head colour is known as the hood. Note also that there is a semi circle of white around the eye in full breeding plumage as seen in photo 2.

Moulting adults:

Photo above shows the transition from non breeding (centre bird) towards breeding (back bird) to the whole set of characteristics for breeding plumage (foreground bird.)

The BHG is into adult plumage after a year as 1st winter bird. Here there are variations that are easy to pick out whilst still remaining clearly a BHG. Note the more orange tones to the bill, also showing a black tip. In flight, 1st year BHG  have a black band at the end of the tail and also show the brown markings on back and wings as shown here. Basically the more brown the younger the bird is. The last two photos, from Bishop's Stortford show 1st year bird characteristics: black band on tail and brown feathers on the wing

Gulls are well known wanderers as illustrated here with a bird I encountered in Southern Country Park in 2019. Not only did it show a deformed beak but it showed a metal ring which I was able to photograph well enough to be able to read the detail. Clearly, a bird ringed in Kaunas, Lithuania, an adult in none breeding plumage. Even with the deformed or broken bill, the state of the plumage showed that it was a healthy bird, feeding properly.

Finally, a couple of close ups of the head and bill from a bird at Brancaster harbour, North Norfolk that was a tad peeved as I was unwilling to share my lunch with it. Note, sexes are identical in almost all gull species and can only be safely identified to sex in the hand.

Final recap: take a look at this photo from Amwell (Dec 2020) to see plumage details of non breeding adults.

Common Gull (Larus canus)

Another inappropriate name as frequently the Common gull is the least common of the top 5 species!

Non Breeding/Winter Adults.

A grey saddle somewhere around Kodak 4. Shows a yellow bill with invariably a black band running vertically across the bill. Legs are light coloured, yellowy/green shades. The ends of the primary feathers on the wings are substantially more black than in BHG and also show a large mirror on the tip along with 2-3 smaller mirrors on the trailing edge of the wings. The head predominantly white with variable amounts of brown mottling.

All details are shown in this photo: subterminal bar on bill which is a light shade, as are legs and note the mirror on the end of the dark tipped wings. Another example below.

Breeding plumage

The Common gull loses the mottled head when in breeding plumage and the bill and legs become a brighter yellow or green. Another feature of this gull is just how rounded the head is compared to other species. Whilst seeming like a small detail, in the field it can be very distinct as shown here in near silhouette from Jastarnia, Gdansk Bay, Poland.

Note the flatter head of the 2 BHGs compared to the round shape of the Common gull in the foreground.

The Common gull doesn't reach adult plumage until its 3rd year. In year 1 after juvenile plumage which is all brown the 1st winter bird is a mix of brown with a Kodak 4 grey mantle and no mirrors. a 2nd winter example is really just a more adult plumage than year 1 with the whole of the wings and saddle grey but showing a mottled brown head. 1st year bird and juvenile show pink legs and a pink bill which becomes green in year 2. 

Below a couple more shots showing how a Common gull stands out in a flock of BHG. Photos again from Gdansk, Poland. In photo 1 note the subtle variations in the colour of bill and legs on the BHGs. Photo 1 is very similar to the gulls lining up on the boardwalk at Southern Country Park.

Herring Gull (Larus argentus)

The Herring gull, is many cases, the default gull to go to and then pick out the key features to guarantee it is indeed Herring. A larger bird than the Common and one that has a 3 year plumage changes before reaching adulthood in year 4 or even Year 5. For that reason, with so many variables, I won't dwell on the complexities here and just look at breeding and non breeding adults.

Non Breeding:

Saddle is Kodak 5 and shows clearly pink legs and a bright yellow bill, invariably containing a red spot on the lower mandible near to the tip which may also show dark markings, rather smudged and not well defined.

The wing ends, when folded at rest are black and show three clearly defined mirrors before a clear white area at the very tip. In flight these mirrors are clearly visible with a large white one showing on the tip and leading edge of the first feather whilst the others show on the trailing edge.  Basically, the larger and brighter these mirrors are, the older the bird is. The Herring adult shows a mottled head in winter plumage. This can vary enormously from very light as in Photos 1 and 3 to a little more as shown in the flight photo to almost totally dark. 

Note the mirrors in phots 1 and 2, showing the largest area of white is on the wing tip. Leg colour can be very tricky to note correctly in flight as in shade they can become much darker whilst when wheeling away into the sun they can become a confusingly light. Leg colour best noted when the bird is at roost.

The eye of the Herring gull is worth checking as can be seen in Photo 3, there is a red orbital eye ring which indicates this bird is in transition from 1 moult to another. Photo 1, Poland, Photo 2 Amwell and photo 3 Wells Next the Sea when the fishing boats were coming in. Photo 4 from the splendidly named, Hel on the Gdansk Bay.. This bird has a lot more mottling, the staring eye that looks threatening, compared to the softer facial features of the Common gull.

Breeding plumage:

Basically, as with Common gull, just a brighter version of the winter gear. No mottling on the head, an all white, bright tail, pinker legs and a bright yellow bill and the staring red orbital eye ring. Another issue with getting colour correct is the light. Gulls can appear much darker in poor light and really pale in bright sunlight. All here show that they are either in breeding plumage or moulting towards it. In photo 3 head still shows light mottling as does the one standing on the post at Amwell. Note the darker coloured bird flying behind. A Lesser black backed, identified by the saddle darkness and also the mirror pattern

Final photo clearly shows pink leg colouration. 

Remember, many gulls migrate to breed around the Baltic area, so seeing them in full breeding plumage maybe unusual. By the time they return to their winter quarters they will already have moulted. However, as from late May/June it is possible to catch up with birds still in breeding plumage if, a.) they are breeding locally, such as those that do so on the roof of The Range in Harlow near Tescos or b.) they have returned early from breeding quarters due to failed breeding attempts, predation or just not finding a mate.

Below, a few photos, without details of birds in a variation of winter plumage as juveniles through to 3rd winter birds. Again, Polish and Amwell birds shown here.

PS: I have omitted to mention the fact that different areas have different herring gulls! Larus argentus and also Larus argentatus. Basically, UK birds are the former. Mind mangling.

Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus graellsii)

The Lesser Black backed gull is roughly the same size as a Herring gull but shows a much darker saddle, around Kodak 7 - 8 with exceptional birds muddying the water by being lighter at Kodak 6! Features of the adult bird in both sets of plumage are yellow legs

Non breeding/winter plumage:

Put simply, a darker version of the Herring gull. Yellow legs apart, there is mottling around the head and neck which can be variable and a lot less showy mirrors on the wing ends. The bird shows a smaller mirror on the wing tip itself followed by up to 4 smaller mirrors on the trailing edge of the primary feathers. The tail is all white in adult birds whilst there will be a black terminal band from juvenile to 3rd winter youngsters, fading in the 3rd year examples.

All photos below from Amwell last week showing several different LBBGs. Note the variation in saddle colouring as well as the differences in the mottling around the head. Photo 3 looks more closely at the mirrors whilst at rest. Note the bill in Photo 2 shows a red spot but no smudgy markings as frequently found on Herring gull

Photo 1 here shows a well marked winter plumage head example and much darker wings than the example above. Photo 4 highlights the yellow legs whilst the other 2 snaps show the mirrors when the wings are fully extended.

Two more birds here with the left hand one showing what appears to be darker wings than the right hand bird. Note also the variation in the mirrors with the left hand bird having much less coverage. The final photo depicts two distant birds, the further of the two showing the yellow legs whilst the closer bird has less head patterning so maybe beginning to move towards breeding plumage.

Breeding plumage:

Once again, the breeding plumage is just a brighter, smarter form of the winter version. Pure white head, a red orbital eye ring  and tidy dark saddle. The right hand bird above is almost an example of this state. For good examples: Tescos car park in Harlow!! A flight shot here showing the clean lines and overall smart white body.

Again, I have not gone on about the 3 sub species: Larus fuscus, Larus graellsii and, just to add confusion, Larus intermedius! L. graellsii is the regular UK bird but dedicated gull watchers always check for the other sub species. Not recommended lol!

Great Black Backed Gull (Larus marinus)

An absolute beast of a bird and often its sheer size and bulk will make ID easy enough if seen with other gulls nearby. Basically, a large version of LBBG with the saddle being up to Kodak 9. Adult birds in both phases of moult show pink legs, a huge yellow bill with red spot and the wing tips almost entirely white as it shows a large mirror.

Non breeding plumage:

Photo 2 below clearly shows the mirror on the end of the primary feathers whilst photo1 and 3 depict a 3rd winter bird moulting into its first adult plumage. Note the darker terminal band on this birds tail compared to the centre photo of the full adult. Photos from Dungeness, a gull hotspot. Note also the sloping forehead and beady eye

Breeding plumage:

Again, a darker, smarter version of the winter get up and in many cases, hardly any noticeable difference. A red orbital eye ring can appear but the eye always looks small in comparison to the size of the head. Smart breeding plumaged GBBG below from Dungeness RSPB Reserve.

2nd and 3rd photo taken from Dungeness beach on a very stormy day with winds howling around at 80mph and I was blown off my feet. Gulls still flying perfectly competently. In both, an adult summer GBBG and in one a juv/1st year LBBG. In the final photo the mirror on the primary wing tips is clearly visible.

A few assorted juvenile and up to 3rd winter GBBGs here for perusal.

So, those are the standard gulls that are to be found regularly. Here is a photo of a mixed flock from Amwell earlier this year. Have a go at identifying these. There are 4 species here. 

However, if you fancy a serious gull challenge then Dungeness is the place. On the beach by the nuclear power station is an area known as The Patch. Here warm water from the power station is run off into the sea. The warmth attracts all sorts of food for the gulls with anything up to 10,000 present at any time.

The final photo shows 2 LBBG and 2 Herring gulls from Amwell. Note any differences as outlined in their individual sections

Other Gull Possibilities

Having covered the 5 that you will certainly find as all are common, there are several other species that may well be encountered, so just a brief nod to these.

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus) Note the taxon name translates as black headed even though another species got that for the English name!

Main difference with similar Black headed gull is there is no black on the wings. Also, in breeding plumage the hood is black and more extensive and the bill and legs a far brighter red.

Also, breeding plumage shows yellow tip to the bill and a clearly visible white eye ring, not in the socket itself but as marking around the eye. A bright red orbital eye ring is also apparent.  Non breeding it is just an all light coloured BHG with a different shaped bill.

A bird that is clearly expanding its range. 30 years ago a real rarity but now breeding in big numbers at Titchwell where they are protected from rat and stoat predation by chicken wire as shown in photo 3. Click on photo to pick out the Med gulls. Photo 1 from The Camargue whilst Photo 2 shows a pair at Oare Marshes near Faversham, Kent. Easy to compare with the chocolate coloured head of the BHG.

Little gull : (Larus minutus)

The world's smallest gull, measuring just 75cm wingspan, so roughly the size of a kestrel. An autumn and winter visitor to our shores. Flickering tern like flight low over water showing very dark underwings compared to the lighter upper wings. Develops an extensive brown hood in summer plumage, rarely seen in the UK.  Note curve in the dark bill on this Norfolk bird from many years ago. 

Yellow legged gull (Larus michahellis)

Another gull that is slowly increasing its range and now seen more frequently than just 10 - 15 years ago. Mainly seen as a juvenile, 1st year bird having come over from the continent. In southern Europe the Herring gull is not present and almost all large grey gulls will be YLG. Apart from sporting bright yellow legs it is basically the same as a herring gull, even down to the mirror markings. Few examples here from The Camargue (1 and 2) and then 3 and 4 from Portugal. Herring gull is Kodak 5 whilst YLG registers a Kodak 6. Slightly darker grey.

Finally, the white wingers as they are known. The Glaucous gull and Iceland Gull. Both of these are Kodak 1 or 2 on the saddle and both large birds. Not found often in the South East but a Glaucous often turns up at Dungeness in winter as well as occasionally along the  Norfolk coast where also Iceland gulls can be seen. Both these species I found on cold, very misty days, the Iceland gull in Weybourne, North Norfolk in a flock of other gulls whilst the 1st year Glaucous was found by the Fishing boats at Dungeness. Some poor quality record shots here, taken through fog and drizzle. Note the pink bill on the large Glaucous in the first three shots and also compare the size of the Iceland gull to the nearby Carrion crows.  Glaucous can be larger than Great Black backed whilst the Iceland gull is of comparable size, so both large birds that will stand out in a flock.

Above, a 1st year Iceland gull. Note the almost white primary feathers at the end of the wing and also a visible white collar behind the head.

Many other gull species have been found in the UK over the last 30 years and, as birders' knowledge of gulls continues to improve there will continue to be new species added to the British list. Only in 2003 was the first ever Audouin's Gull recorded in the UK. Spent a couple of days at Dungeness. A rare bird in world terms and now only recorded twice in the UK.

There are only a handful of UK records for the very elegant Slender billed gull and this is one that probably won't be expanding its range too much from all around the Mediterranean. A photo here of one I encountered in The Camargue where there is a small but resident population.

Hope this helps.

Finally, the answers to the Amwell mixed flock photo. Black headed gulls showing red beak and leg and small size. Common gulls, rounded head, light colouring on beak with subterminal stripe and greeny leg colouration and smaller than the Herring. This bird, with another directly behind it: Kodak 5 and pink legs nails it whilst the LBBGs show the tell tale yellow legs and Kodak 7 saddle colours.

Beginners Guide to Waders. Part 6: The Unmistakables.

 Fortunately for those new to wader spotting, or those baffled by the whole group of them there are a fair few that are easy to identify, so let's have a look at these. 

Another top tip for watching waders is not to be over powered by the sheer number that may be in front of you. Break them into smaller groups and just concentrate on this bunch, noting the dunlin and godwits as well as the easier ones and then there may be a few left that present more of a challenge. In reality, the vast majority of what is before you will fall into the categories above. In the UK unlikely to get 100's of sandpiper species together, just Dunlin, Lapwing, godwits and Knot. In there though may be a Little stint, a Curlew sandpiper or something even more challenging and exciting such as an American vagrant. This is where field notes are essential as mentioned in a previous part of this brief series. A reminder, make notes on plumage that stands out: tail pattern, wing bars in flight, eye stripes if present as well as leg colouration and bill shape, size and colour. Make comparisons to nearby waders that you know eg, smaller than Dunlin or longer and darker bill than an oystercatcher. When in a hide studying waders don't be afraid to point one out that is tricky to another birder. They may not have looked at this group yet and unaware of its presence. Give good details or, if in your scope, ask them to have a look. All good field skills to get the most from a session wader watching.

Titchwell Fresh Marsh from the Parrinder Hide. All very daunting to a beginner but just look at the group directly in front. Lapwings clearly visible and with them a group of mainly roosting smaller waders showing white underparts and a browny head and wing: Dunlin. Then scan through to see if anything else stands out. 

Oystercatcher:

Large black and white wader showing bright orange bill and legs. Can be quite noisy with a typical piping call. Can't really be mistaken for anything else.

Avocet:

Another black and white wader but so different in shape and size to the above. Upturned bill obvious, very aggressive during breeding season to anything that gets too near nest, eggs or young. Saw an avocet actually land on a Marsh Harrier once, looked like it was surfing on it. Not the unusual blue legs.

Turnstone:

Busy bird of beach and pools. Flicks over sea weed and beach litter in search of invertebrates. Any gravel will be flicked about. Mainly seen in the UK in non breeding plumage as shown here. 

In the final photo above, note size and shape compared to the Dunlin shown here. Note the straight cut off point from the dark breast to the white belly.  Short, stubby and dark bill, orange legs. 

Purple Sandpiper:

Not a regular bird for South East England but does show up, invariably on rocks where waves are breaking. Amazing ability to hold on to the rocks as water washes all around it. Very unlikely to find another bird behaving like this, nor actually found in such a habitat.

A very rotund wader with long toes that are orange and a slightly decurved bill that is dark at the tip and orange at the base. Has a vague purpleness to it but overall impression is a grey/brown bird. Note the visible white eye ring.

Snipe:

Whilst not overlooking similarities with Woodcock and Jack snipe, almost all snipe like birds seen will be........Snipe. Excellent camouflage and a liking for not giving up its position until a birder is just about to tread on it (similar to Woodcock) means most views of snipe are when they are out on mud or soft grassy fields probing with their ludicrously long bill. Note the head pattern of black and gold striped heading from the crown. A woodcock has them going across the crown. If the snipe is constantly bobbing up and down then it will be the slightly smaller and shorter billed Jack snipe.

Curlew:

Only similar bird is the less common, migratory whimbrel so the latter only about during April/May and late August/early October. Can be ruled out at all other times therefore making curlew easy to identify. A larger wader, long legged with huge decurved bill. Pay attention to the head pattern again especially the crown as shown here.

Not too much detail on the head pattern, just a series of streaks. The smaller whimbrel shows a clear head stripe upon the crown as shown below. Note also the much shorter decurved bill. Beware: 1st year curlews have shorter bills as they're not fully grown but the head pattern will immediately sort this confusion out. Whimbrel photo from The Camargue, the only one I have ever seen there in way over 10 trips in the last 20 years. A special place, love it there.

Common sandpiper:

Perhaps this shouldn't in the unmistakable section due to possible mix up with Green sandpiper but there is one diagnostic feature that renders this a relatively easy bird to id, even from a distance. In both these photos (Amwell and Portugal) the white patch extending upwards towards the neck is very prominent and defines Common sandpiper. Invariably lands and bobs about loads. In flight, broad white wing bars also tell it apart from the all brown wings of Green sandpiper.

Compare the plumage on this Green sandpiper to note differences. Also, in winter, Green sandpiper almost 100% by fresh water and Common sandpiper, being a summer visitor will have returned south so can be ruled out after October and before April. 

The lack of the white "shoulder" here is very clear showing this indeed to be a Green sandpiper.

Little Stint:

Again, Little stints shouldn't really be in this section as their plumage is similar to many other waders, especially Curlew sandpiper and Dunlin but just their diminutive size gives them away when seen feeding with other species, such as dunlin. See photo below showing a Black tailed godwit, 2 Golden plover, a feeding Dunlin and then the tiny Little stint. Same size as a Great tit!!

Here another view of the same bird. This taken at the fantastic Oare Marshes, near Faversham. A great wader watching place where you can watch from the comfort of your own car! From back to front: Black tailed godwit, Golden plover, Dunlin and Little stint. Note straight bill compared to the usual decurved bill of the Dunlin.

 

First year Little stints can be identified by what are known as tramlines. These are 2 distinct white lines running down the back of the bird as illustrated here. These from Titchwell, North Norfolk.

No tramlines here so adult bird. Note the 4th photo shows a Little stint either moulting from or into breeding plumage. Compare with first two snaps where full non breeding plumage is shown.

Just one final comment. If you see a Little stint with yellow/light coloured legs you have a rare Temminck's stint! Only ever seen 3 in the UK in over 50 years of birding so don't worry about it too much!

Underwing of Little stint but such a fast flyer very rare to get a good glimpse.

To conclude this brief intro to waders I include a favourite photo from many years ago on Titchwell beach. Just love the amount of species and the photo does not include all the other waders on the beach along with gulls and sea duck out to sea. Fantastic place.

Here Curlew heading left, redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, Grey plover in breeding plumage, Black headed gull in non breeding plumage, and 3 Black tailed godwit.

Hope this mini-guide has been of use and give folk a little knowledge to help with a tricky group of birds. 

Beginners Guide to Waders: Part 5: Plovers

 Five species of plover covered here and all rather straight forward once you have got a good look at the bird. Green plover, better known as Lapwing, Golden plover, Grey Plover, Ringed plover and Little Ringed plover.

Lapwing:

An unmistakeable bird, usually seen in large numbers. Green with a crest, showing broad rounded black and white wings in flight. A little time at Amwell studying these and it will become a familiar and easy bird to recognise.

Grey Plover:

A bird, again unmistakeable in summer plumage. A stunning bird showing a silver grey back and jet black belly whilst in summer plumage. This bird migrates from North Africa to the Arctic regions to breed. It has been noted that it does the Spring journey north in one go whilst its return journey is frequently interrupted with fuelling stops on salt marshes and beaches. A common bird for North Norfolk in September where a late moulting bird maybe found, still supporting the breeding plumage. These two examples are just starting to moult. First from Titchwell, second one from Dungeness, Kent

Note their long legs which are also apparent in their duller non breeding plumage. This is a strikingly larger bird than the next species, the Golden plover. Rarely seen in large flocks and frequently solitary in its nature. Note the legs still appear long and the overall feel for the bird is a grey and white bird sporting a black bill with dark legs. First photo here, a distant one on Cley beach, the second one taken from the platform of Faro station, Portugal overlooking the salt creeks next to the station. 

Grey plover: dark bill, longish dark legs, grey plumage and a rounded, dumpy bird. As can be seen be these terrible photos, the dark eye stands out from the pale face and cheeks

Golden Plover:

A bird that can be found in its 1000's in many areas of the UK. I used to watch these flocking on Frodsham Marshes, Cheshire where I cut my ornithological teeth aged 7-11. Basically, in summer plumage, a golden version of the Grey plover, only smaller and shorter legged. Again, likely to be seen in moult in August and September upon returning from breeding grounds before it takes on its familiar golden flecked non breeding plumage. Below, 5 recent returnees to Norfolk, still showing the black belly and the flecked golden wings and back. Again, a dark eye and dark legs. Second photo shows part of a huge flock that can be witnessed at Titchwell. Note the solitary large bird showing rounded black and white plumage; a Lapwing.

Top Tip: When watching waders it is not uncommon for the whole lot to take to the air at the same time, spooking gulls as well to take off. When this happens it is invariably a bird of prey that has spooked them: Marsh harrier, Peregrine, Hen harrier etc. Look to the sky to see what it has caused the commotion. 

In winter plumage the Golden plover stands out when roosting upon a mud scrape. Usually in big numbers but always worth checking through for a different bird. Here, several self explanatory shots of Golden plover in non breeding plumage. Compare leg length with Grey plover. In overall comparison a smaller, daintier bird and one that any visitor to places such as RSPB Titchwell will become familiar with very rapidly. These photos: 1 Aviero, Portugal 2. Titchwell beach and 3. Cley Norfolk Wildlife Reserve.

Ringed Plover:

The Ringed plover and the smaller Little Ringed plover are a tad more tricky to sort out, but there are some easy diagnostic features to aid id. Firstly, the Little Ringed plover is a bird that moves north to the UK to breed from Africa, a summer migrant so it can be ruled out after September and before mid March. 

let's look at the resident Ringed plover. In breeding plumage a bright orange bill and orange legs. It shows a black stripe, thick around the eye, thinning around the base of the bill. White forehead followed by another black stripe across the front of the crown. A wide black band across the breast. Wings a light brown/faun colour. An example here from Tavira in Portugal whilst the second photo of Ringed plover and Dunlin is from Aviero, mid Portugal. Note the similarity in size to the Dunlin. Size is all important when making field notes on waders. Compare it in size to a bird that you know that is close by.

In non breeding plumage it becomes a much paler version of the breeding plumage. The bill becomes dark, the brightness loses its lustre and the legs become a much less bright orange. Note the white collar all around the back of the neck and the dark patch around the eye. As a resident it will be likely this bird can be encountered at any time of the year in Norfolk.

If still in doubt about the bird you're watching being Ringed or Little ringed wait until it flies. Ringed plover shows an obvious wing bar whereas LRP has an all dark wing.

 

Little Ringed Plover:

As stated, a summer migrant to our shores, the first ever LRP to breed was indeed in Hertfordshire at Tring reservoirs in, I think without checking, 1955. Therefore, it is most likely to be encountered in breeding plumage where the stand out feature is a spectacular yellow eye ring, never present on Ringed plover, as shown below. A much thinner bird than the rounded Ringed Plover.

To differentiate from Ringed plover, note the extra white stipe across the top of the head, the dark bill and darker legs. It is also a smaller bird but for that to be useful it really requires both species to be seen together. However, LRP is a much slimmer bird than the rounded Ringed plover. The yellow eye ring really does stand out. Photos here from Amwell Reserve.

The LRP does hang on until quiet late in the year and will be seen in non breeding plumage, again a less colourful version of the breeding plumage.

Note the much finer bill on LRP and the thin black collar bordering the white ring over the back of the head. Also, the LRP shows a patch of white above the base of the bill and its legs become a fleshy shade of pinky/yellow. Finally, no white wing bar on LRP. Photos from North Norfolk and Amwell. A habit of LRP during breeding season is to spend a lot of time running around over sandbanks and mud scrapes in an attempt to catch flies that land upon the damp mud. Rye Meads RSPB near Broxbourne normally hosts them, seen often from the Draper Hide.