© J. Judge

Occasionally, gulls escape from collections and may join other gulls at reservoirs, gravel pits and other sites. This Silver Gull (seen here with a Black-headed Gull) is an Australasian species, and was photographed at Draycote Water in September 2003. It was also recorded at other sites in various central and southern English counties. Note the larger size than Black-headed Gull, the clean white head, and the relatively robust bill. In flight it would reveal a distinctive wing-pattern, with a black outer primaries displaying white mirrors.