Larus? (1 Viewer)

L

Lancey

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2004

• #1

Dear all,
I saw this gull today in Kent and I don't really know what it is, can you help? In flight it showed a white rump and an obvious black tail band. Unfortunately for me to have noticed these features required it to be flying which it did - once - and didn't come back.

Please let me know what you think,
Thanks,

Lancey

 

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G

godwit

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2004

• #2

It's a juvenile Lesser Black-back.

Dave

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Sep 10, 2004

• #3

Oo-er... Looks like a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed to me. Not 100% sure by any means though.

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Sep 10, 2004

• #4

No one else going to have a go at this? There's surely more to be said about this bird.

 

M

mountain man

Guest

• Sep 11, 2004

• #5

I'd also go with 1w LBB Gull based on extensively dark tertials, long pointy wings and fairly delicate build. Your description of the tail/rump is also a pro LBB feature. I have to admit though that I'm still not exacty sure how to tell many Y-l.Gulls from slightly weird and bigger looking LBBs. Anyone care to tell me...?

 

G

godwit

Well-known member

• Sep 11, 2004

• #6

No Y-l. Gull has such a slim build and fine bill or such extensively dark inner greater coverts as this. Also. there is no sign of any 1st-w feathers in the scapulars so this is still a full juvenile, Y-l. Gulls are well advanced into 1st-w plumage by early September and have grey and black barred scapulars (rather than the plain dark feathers with narrow pale fringes shown by this bird) and show a contrast between a grey toned mantle and darker wing-coverts. Also Y-l. Gull rarely has such an extensive dark mask on the face and tends instead to have dark feathering more centred around the eye so that a vaguely Med Gull like impression is often created.

Dave

 

L

Lancey

Well-known member

• Sep 11, 2004

• #7

Dear all,
Thanks for your help with sorting this out. I have attached a photo which reveals the bill shape in more detail since I saw Dave's comment about a fine bill which may have been due in part to the quality of the videograbs provided. The bill in fact looks like it's shaped like a scimitar.

Regards,
Lancey

 

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