Joern Lehmhus
Well-known member
Seen 11.05.05,
early morning (5.45-6.00), over a saltmarsh in southern France, 20min from Montpellier (between Frontignan and Sète)
seen only from distance:
two white headed gulls, wing pattern on upperwing similar to adult Blackheaded Gull, underwing not clearly seen, head and body shape as well as flight pattern ressembling Yellowlegged Gull (which were also present in several individuals and clearly bigger), sometimes more like Gull-billed Tern (which was also present in one individual and seemed about the same size , perhaps slightly smaller)
Bill colour and leg colour not seen over the distance....
To summarize it: most of the time these birds had the jizz of a big gull, which they clearly weren´t.
So what´s your opinion? If it is what I think it is it were a new species for me , but the viewing conditions were not ideal due to distance- so I´d like to hear the opinion of people experienced with the species I am thinking of and with possible confusion possibilities...
Jörn
early morning (5.45-6.00), over a saltmarsh in southern France, 20min from Montpellier (between Frontignan and Sète)
seen only from distance:
two white headed gulls, wing pattern on upperwing similar to adult Blackheaded Gull, underwing not clearly seen, head and body shape as well as flight pattern ressembling Yellowlegged Gull (which were also present in several individuals and clearly bigger), sometimes more like Gull-billed Tern (which was also present in one individual and seemed about the same size , perhaps slightly smaller)
Bill colour and leg colour not seen over the distance....
To summarize it: most of the time these birds had the jizz of a big gull, which they clearly weren´t.
So what´s your opinion? If it is what I think it is it were a new species for me , but the viewing conditions were not ideal due to distance- so I´d like to hear the opinion of people experienced with the species I am thinking of and with possible confusion possibilities...
Jörn