Gull, Poole , Dorset, England 16/03/22 (1 Viewer)

[pooleparrot]

Hi , still trying to find a Caspian Gull at my local patch. We had this bird this morning which had some positive features. Photos not great at distance and in heavy rain. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks

 

[Prestdj]

id lean towards lesser black backed gull

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
not a confident answer, but my thoughts when looking at the pictures:

• hey, quite clean, bright, pink legs
• looking at that small, clean white head with a smudgy pattern on the hindneck and the thin bill, I can see, why Ian thought of a Caspian Gull
• I think I can detect the washed pattern of the greater coverts with a pale edge, resulting in the two-barred pattern of a Caspian Gull
• is the tail-base largely white ? Yes, I was just reminded not squeeze too much out of bad pictures. Thanks to Aeshna and Edward again!
• is the pattern on the scapulars banded or are there small diamond shaped dark centers in them? Yes, I was just reminded not squeeze too much out of bad pictures. Thanks to Aeshna and Edward again! But it reminded me of Caspian x HG here.
• in picture 5 bird looks ok for a YLG

Conclusion: I think, the bird looks good for a Caspian X Herring Gull hybrid or a Caspian Gull and I hope for more comments. Thanks!