UK SE Coast - Kent - Gull ID (1 Viewer)

[xaviertaylor]

Dear all - I’m by no means a gull expert... but this one stood out to me! I know what I’d like it to be.... (Casp....)... please don’t tell me it’s a Herring!!!!!!!🙈

 

[Steve Lister]

OK, I won't tell you it's a Herring Gull but...............................

 

[xaviertaylor]

Oh noooooo! You are kidding me! Seriously?
Would you mind explaining why? I'm using the Collins guide... and it seemed (or so I thought!) to fit 2nd W Casp. The slanted head angle, long beak, full chest...
Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

 

[Andy Adcock]

Oh noooooo! You are kidding me! Seriously?
Would you mind explaining why? I'm using the Collins guide... and it seemed (or so I thought!) to fit 2nd W Casp. The slanted head angle, long beak, full chest...
Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

As a non Larophile, I think the head is too streaky for one thing, head should be almost white I think?

New Caspian Gull ID pages on Gull Research.ORG

I want to briefly promote the good work that is done by the guys from Gull Research who have recently added a new (and long awaited) section about the Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans). As usual, var…

gullstothehorizon.wordpress.com

 

[xaviertaylor]

thanks everyone who has replied so far - any other takers?

 

[lou salomon]

i don't just tell you it is a herring gull but i'd tell it definitely is a herring gull . there's no caspian lacking a mirror in 3rd cycle so you can readily dismiss that on just this one feature. and everything else fits for herring gull too, no hybrid, no YLG, no smith etc. probably you looked to much into its eyes - small and dark, ok, take that as being unusual for argentatus/-teus

 

[xaviertaylor]

That’s very comprehensive - thanks so much for taking the time to explain it!
Back to the drawing board!!!!!!!