Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus
Length 62-68cm

A winter visitor to Britain and Ireland from Arctic breeding grounds in variable numbers. Easiest to see in N with most records between November and February. Marginally smaller than great black-backed gull but adult close in appearance to herring gull except for diagnostic white wingtips; these noticeable both at rest and in flight. Legs pink and bill massive. Immature birds relatively easy to identify, having very pale buffish grey plumage, pale wingtips and dark-tipped pink bills. Seen mostly on the coast but birds occasionally visit rubbish tips inland. Iceland gull is similar but smaller and with more dainty-looking bill.