I had to go to Limerick City today to collect equipment for a job planned for next week. The premises I was visiting was right next to the Shannon River and near the old Salmon Weir across from King John's Island, so I got a chance to scan the gulls while passing that way. I noticed this third-winter Yellow-legged Gull standing on the weir with Lesser Black-backed Gulls. To be honest due to the paleness of the bare parts and dainty size, I had to contact Killian Mullarney for help and confirmation before coming to the conclusion that it was a Larus michahellis. This is only the third Limerick record and all previous two birds have been found at this exact location. The second record was a sub-adult found on the weir by Paul Troake on the 7th January 2011. I was lucky enough to find the first county record, an adult on this weir on 21st November 2008.
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis, Limerick City © John N Murphy
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