Southern Black-Backed Gull

Larus dominicanus, first year juvenile.

I met this fellow as I was walking in the Waimakariri riverbed this evening. It was a big bird- about 60cm (24 inches), and it had webbed feet. You could see right through its nostrils.

There was another one too, slightly smaller and paler in colour. Perhaps this was a male and the other was a female.

These gulls nest anywhere near water from the coast and outlying islands to alpine tarns. Riverbeds such as the Waimakariri are favoured.

Today we had a hot nor'wester and fierce sunshine, a sizzling combination. I felt wasted most of the day, but it was lovely down by the roaring flooded river just before sunset.

Best seen large.