gull hayling island hampshire 30/08/2022 (1 Viewer)

[Prestdj]

saw this by the ferry crossing at just after 6 am in the morning, to me looked unusual but could be just a herring gull any thoughts thanks

 

[aeshna5]

Looks like 1st W Herring Gull to me. Has the pale inner primaries & rump pattern looks okay.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Darrell,

I tend to agree with Aeshna, its a 1cy Herring Gull, but its a difficult one for me: can a LBBG (or an hybrid LBBG x HG) ruled out here:

• first jizz/gut-feeling is a dainty, small and rounded head gull. But yes, primaries could be longer
• does this bird has the dark shins of a LBBG? I think yes, but its a feature I just learned recently here (thanks) and didnt tested it in the field
• Yes, the inner primaries seems pale and there are pale windows in the outer ones, too. But is this enhanced by picture quality and therefore just within variation for a LBBG (see: http://www.gull-research.org/lbbg/lbbg1cy/1cyaug053.html)? Many 1cy HG have a more obvious/contrasting one (but yes, its within variation for a HG)

You know, Aeshna this isnt an offence, if I hope for more pictures and comments.

Educational bird for me. Tfs!