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 Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla L 40, W 95. Breeds Atlantic coast in large colonies on precipices of bird cliffs (the nests sited like swallows' on diminutive projections), sometimes also on conveniently situated building. Outside breeding season found mostly at sea. Swarms around fishing boats. Regular on passage, large numbers sometimes blown in to coasts in storms in autumn and winter. Flight noticeably lighter and more elegant than Common Gull's, in rough weather the action is more like Fulmar's. Tail square or shallowly forked. Legs black and rather short. Adults resemble Common Gulls but have all-black wingtips and wings more uniform in width ('fuller' hand), and upperside tricoloured: black wingtip, pale grey outer wing, darker grey inner wing and back (Common Gull is bicoloured: the grey is uniform). Immature with its black diagonal bar on upperwing recalls immature Little Gull and others but differs in broad, distinct black nape band, Common Gull size and also always white crown and pure white secondaries. 1st-summer generally lacks nape band and has smudgy dark markings on wing-coverts, can be confused with Sabine's. Call, 'kittiweeIK', in nasal falsetto. RSWP
 An
excellent pocket reference book for recognising birds
is the Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe,
which is a comprehensive reference guide to Britain
and mainland Europe's plethora of ornithological life.
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