Large Gull, possibly Cachinnans, Steinhorster Becken near Paderborn, NRW, Germany, 8th May '23 (1 Viewer)

[Andy Hurley]

My first thought was Caspian Gull, but would like your input, as I have been more wrong than right in my ID's recently. Only one image I'm afraid.

Many thanks!

 

[THE_FERN]

you want someone sensible who believes in gull species to comment (i.e. not me). But why isn't it yellow-legged?

 

[Andy Hurley]

Cannot rule it out from the obvious yellow legs, but too light overall especially lesser coverts and head too white, sloping forehead? Dunno really why else it can't be. Was hoping for an explanation either way. Most gulls with yellow legs in adult plumage devolp these in 3rd year at earliest , I think, but I'm a bit colour blind, so me confusing the colours can't be ruled out.

 

[THE_FERN]

...yellow legs... I'm a bit colour blind, so me confusing the colours can't be ruled out.

Clearly not that colour blind. I'm not sure I can commit to leg colour here: ambient light effects

 

[Andy Hurley]

I meant the sketches of 2nd and 3rd year birds in Helm's gulls. No reason for you to know that though, sorry...

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
what a pitty that you dont have more pictures.
My first gut reaction was, this looks like a Caspian x Herring Gull hybrid(= Yellow legged Gull look alike= thanks to Chris Stohl, Uli Mahler and other local birders that made me think about my lazuy jizz approach towards YLG in SW-Germany)

But brightening the picture to a supposed normal level, your bird seems to be on the bright side with washed out pattern on the greatercoverts with much white, very pale tertials, and more?

Are these really features? I am not so sure, so as always: I hope for confirmation or correction. Thanks!

 

[Andy Hurley]

Thanks very much Alexander. It does appear to be a very light bird, but the photographer*innen ( German joke ) assures me the settings were all good with ISO set bang in the middle.