Leggy the Herring Gull

"Leggy" is a badly-disabled female Herring Gull who frequents the beach adjacent to the pier at Walton-on-the-Naze. I first saw the bird on Walton seafront in the spring of 2004 and couldn't help noticing the badly damaged right leg. It soon became evident that the bird was also unable to eat because her beak was stuck half-open. After surviving at least five days in this sorry state she was finally captured, obviously very weak by this time. Fishing line, complete with hook and lead weight were all removed from her mouth! She was fed and watered before being returned to the wild and has stayed in this location ever since.

I have photographically charted the progress of this bird towards adult plumage, which takes about four years in Herring Gulls. I have over 3000 images of the bird and have included a selection here in this gallery.

Over the past four years I have developed a bond with this wild bird, which now recognises and calls to me at feeding times. Apart from the obvious changes in plumage which have occurred, I have been able to study the behaviour and rituals of this wild bird first-hand. It has given me a fascinating insight into the life of this disabled Herring Gull and I have learnt so much more than I could ever include here. I hope eventually to put all this into a book and a dedicated website.