YLG ID Upton Warren UK (1 Viewer)

[timmyjones]

Hi all,

Some photos attached of a claimed Yellow-legged Gull from Upton Warren, Worcestershire, opinions on the ID welcomed!

2w? Or argentatus?

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=373545&d=1331413231

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=373546&d=1331413270

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=373547&d=1331413326


Thanks

 

[Parker]

All look good to me.

 

[timmyjones]

All look good to me.

Last two have been confirmed as LBBG.

Reasons behind why you think they look good would be helpful.

 

[Cristian Mihai]

Timmy, precisely which are "the last two"?

 

[timmyjones]

Timmy, precisely which are "the last two"?

Sorry, the 2 adults at the bottom in the same picture

 

[Cristian Mihai]

Sorry, the 2 adults at the bottom in the same picture

I would agree that in the last link (with two adult birds) we have LBB Gulls. All the others seem to be Yellow-legged Gulls indeed.

 

[Parker]

Last two have been confirmed as LBBG.

Reasons behind why you think they look good would be helpful.

I didn't see the last two when I first had a look & agree they are LBBG's.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Darker mantle colouration indicates LBBG from YLG.

 

[timmyjones]

I didn't see the last two when I first had a look & agree they are LBBG's.

Okay, have edited my original post to focus on the bird that I think is most in question to its identity.

 

[lou salomon]

i think it's an odd 3cy herring gull. head shape and bill would be strange even for a female YLG.
the mich look is produced by the white head and contrasting coverts, esp. in this pic http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=373546&d=1331413270.

there's nothing that would exclude either sp. but adding a small looking dark eye (which doesn't fit either - but of course this is no cachinnans) to a retarded bill and leg colour (if a YLG). the underwing pattern is pretty soft and doesn't fit the normal michahellis. broad tail band disfavours YLG too but certainly would be within variation. no grey median covert bar - also better for argentatus of some kind...

cheers

 

[JANJ]

Sorry Tim for missing out on your PM. I agree with Lou on this one, Herring.

JanJ

 

[timmyjones]

Cheers for opinions guys, always learning! So just to clear up a 3cy Yellow leg at this time of year should show a paler base to the bill or more adult like?

 

[lou salomon]

bill colour developement is extremely variable in all similar species. but yellow-legged gull is the one that (in my experience) most likely shows an almost adult type bill by mid spring 3cy. however, some ind. can show a mostly dark bill up to 3rd winter. your bird shows about the average colouring (and shape) of herring gull at this age class.

 

[GoldenI]

i'm seeing both herring gull and yellow-legged gull but more so the latter in two of the pics. gut feeling it is a yellow-legged or maybe hybrid. interesting bird