This photograph of a black-headed gull was taken in February, a time of year when usually only slight remnants of the bird's black (actually dark brown) hood is visible. It was part of a flock numbering about twenty. Some of them were more advanced in acquiring their black heads with newly grown dark feathers starting to cover the sides, top and back of their heads. Only by the end of March will most black-headed gulls have their full breeding plumage. This gull's vantage point on the top of a river level gauge on the River Wye at Ross on Wye was a windy spot and the bird adopted this streamlined shape to keep its balance. A couple of days after I took this photograph I passed the gauge when a kingfisher was perched in exactly the same position. Unfortunately it sped off before I could bring my camera to bear on it.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
