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Caspian gulls? (1 Viewer)

ortolan

Well-known member
Photos of 1stW and adult gulls that for various reasons
think candidates for Caspian Gull.Would like to confirm
or not! to see if I'm on the right tracks, all opinions very
welcome.Taken in last week at lake at Calvert lake,Bucks,
England.Roost is next to landfill site.
 

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The 1st winter looks good for Caspian to my eyes - not so sure about the adult, best wait for someone who knows what there talking about.
 
Hi

As a regular visitor to Calvert, keen to know if there are any other comments on these interesting birds.

Steve

Hi Steve,

The consensus seems to be that the adult, at least, is definitely a Caspian Gull. Structurally distinctive, with small eye, long bill, curious "snouty" appearance at the front end, long wings showing the correct primary pattern, and mantle shade certainly within 'cachinnans' range (lighter than YLG, a touch darker than HG).

The 1st-w bird I'm not so sure about. I saw that bird, on a gloomy afternoon last week, and I still can't make up my mind. Unfortunately we didn't watch it for too long - our eyes got distracted by other possible/probable Caspians & Yellow-legs.....

So any other feedback would be welcome.
 
Hi Steve,

The consensus seems to be that the adult, at least, is definitely a Caspian Gull. Structurally distinctive, with small eye, long bill, curious "snouty" appearance at the front end, long wings showing the correct primary pattern, and mantle shade certainly within 'cachinnans' range (lighter than YLG, a touch darker than HG).

The 1st-w bird I'm not so sure about. I saw that bird, on a gloomy afternoon last week, and I still can't make up my mind. Unfortunately we didn't watch it for too long - our eyes got distracted by other possible/probable Caspians & Yellow-legs.....

So any other feedback would be welcome.

1st one looks like a 1w YLG to me, 2nd looks good for a casp structually but primary pattern doesn't look spot on from what you can see in these pics.
Did you see the Adult Rob??

M
 
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Hi all.

The first winter bird seems to have some moulted coverts (second generation) which together with the 'Caspian Gull look', small looking eye, whitish head with 'neck-collar and tertial pattern could well could be a Caspian! However, some Herring Gulls could well match the look of this gull, excluding the covert moult (very rare in Herring). The bill looks a little short and thick (male = bigger billed than females)

http://www.pbase.com/stephaubry/image/88537658

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=19027

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=8622

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=14648

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=8817

On the adult (looking) bird the primary pattern on the far wing seems to have a long pale tounge like this:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=14098

but note the small mirror with a rather broad dark subterminal mark - indicative of Herring Gull, but see here:

http://www.pbase.com/stephaubry/image/88628528

which together with small looking eye, small head and bill size looks alright for Caspian.

http://www.pbase.com/stephaubry/cach5&page=all

JanJ
 
1st one looks like a 1w YLG to me, 2nd looks good for a casp structually but primary pattern doesn't look spot on from what you can see in these pics.
Did you see the Adult Rob??

M

No, that was on a different day (all Tim's own work). When I picked the 1st-w out, my immediate thought was Caspian, but subsequently watching it, and seeing Tim's photo's, put a bit of doubt in my mind. I'm veering towards YLG now, especially after seeing those links posted by JanJ (for which thanks).
 
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