More Gull Fun (1 Viewer)

[dan pointon]

Strange Gull for analysis

Hi,

I was just scanning the net when I came across some images of a strange looking gull seen at South Shields, Tyneside today. The site reports this as a possible Caspian Gull, though after much careful consideration and discussion with Wrexile1, we came to the conclusion that it was in fact an argentatus race Herring Gull, albeit a fairly varied individual. I was hoping maybe some of you lot could pass judgement on this gull, as it's interesting to say the least.

The pics can be found at: http://www.whitburnbirding.co.uk/images/Caspian Gull.jpg

Have fun with this one!

 

[JANJ]

Well, quite interesting, and a Herring it is I think. One can can see the Caspian thinking though, the primary pattern , with the pale toungues, on the outer primaries, and the all white p10 tip. The dark pattern on p5, just one small dot on the outer web, is not typicall for a Caspian, more in line with Herring!Also the slender parallel looking bill, with a gently drooping upper mandible tip and the weak gonys bears a certain resemblance to Caspian Gull.
Eye is pale, which it can be in a Caspian, but maybe not that whitish though.
The fact that the legs doesn´t look that long and slender isn´t always a pro-Caspian feature, but in combination with all the other pro-Herring characters they seem to belong on a Herring so to speak. Structurally it shouts Herring.

Concerning the primary pattern:
http://cyberbirding.uib.no/gull/hg/ad_13.php

Came to think of this:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=46360&highlight=gull+poland

http://nic-hallam-bird-images.com/Caspian-Gulls

http://www.extracon.org/Gabbiani/cachinnans10

JanJ

 

[GMS]

Ahhh Gulls....always great fun ?!

Dan, I think your ID is correct. I agree that there are some features that might point towards Caspian (as JanJ has already pointed out) but personally - based on the structure alone - I wouldn't have given this bird a second look.

Of course that's just my opinion and I might be wrong. We all know that they can be ever so slightly variable

 

[Edward woodwood]

had a quick gander and it sure doesn't appear to be a Caspian

for reasons given above but just looking at it, it shouts Herring to me

 

[lou salomon]

same.
isn't it funny? we could argue to and fro but this ind. just "looks" to us like herring gull (which it doubtless is) although it has many features of caspian (mentioned by jan). it tells a lot about subtle characteristics that are hard to tell, i think.

 

[lister400]

same.
isn't it funny? we could argue to and fro but this ind. just "looks" to us like herring gull (which it doubtless is) although it has many features of caspian (mentioned by jan). it tells a lot about subtle characteristics that are hard to tell, i think.

There are several pro-caspian gull features on this bird, and the observer can be forgiven for thinking it is indeed that species - primary pattern looks more caspian than herring, bill looks long and comparatively narrow and the head looks good in the top left flight shot. But there is "something" missing that clinches it as caspian. The answer to this problem: go back to the drawing board with large Gull ID...