Ring-billed Gull - 1st wi

There was a time not too long ago when the Ring-billed Gull was a scarce Winter visitor to these shores from its home in North America.  Whilst not exactly common, they have become a much more regular sight all along the shores of Ireland throughout Autumn and Winter.

The bird pictured here is a 1st-Winter Ring-billed Gull that was found in the large mixed flock of Gulls at Dublin port last weekend.  Granted the day was all about the Ross's Gull (previous post), however when the Ring-billed was spotted it drew very little reaction from the assembled throng, partly due to the Ross's being the target of the day, and partly due I think to the ever increasing presence of Wintering Ring-billed Gulls in Ireland.