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andy101 · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:41

Hi folks,
Taken in St Helier Jersey last week, I think it is a Great Black Backed Gull but not sure.I thought at first it was a Herring Gull but the wings look too dark.
Regards...AJ

Dave Hall · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:45

Hi Andy Looks like a Great Black-backed Gull to me

Laurence H · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:48

I'll disagree and say Lesser, as I think a Greater would look much blacker even in strong light. Also, it doesn't look bulky enough for Greater.

Laurence

joannec · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:52

Great for me.

Dave Hall · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurence H

I'll disagree and say Lesser, as I think a Greater would look much blacker even in strong light. Also, it doesn't look bulky enough for Greater.

Laurence

Hi Laurence I am no gull expert but the wings are Black and the legs are not Yellow so its a GBB Gull for me

birderbf · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Hall

Hi Laurence I am no gull expert but the wings are Black and the legs are not Yellow so its a GBB Gull for me

That aside, it's pretty bulky, and definitely not as lanky as I'd expect a Lesser. So I'm voting for Great.

Progne Subis · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:00

Those legs are clearly yellow on my monitor. Lesser in my opinion.

Andrew Whitehouse · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:00

On my screen, the wings look slightly paler than the primaries and the legs are of rather indeterminate colour. I'd favour LBB on the shape, but I'm struggling to be sure. Other pictures would help me, although possibly others can figure it out just from this one.

Rick Wright, Tucson · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:03

The far wing appears to show a black terminus to the outermost primary from beneath, which if true makes it a Lesser Black-back.

deborah4 · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:10

Primary spots and wide tertial crescent suggest GBBG

JANJ · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:33

Hi all.

It´s a LBBG. The white mirror - although looking large on this one, with a - as Rick puts it - a black terminus. Structure is better for LBBG (females are smaller and a female GBBG approaches a male LBBG in size but GBBG struckture with small looking eye and heavier bill is often evident) There seems to be an obvious contrast between upperparts and primaries - which has much less white compared to an adult summer GBBG - and looks better for graellsii - give and take a few Kodak Grey Scales darker because of the photo. Yellow legs backs it up.

JanJ

deborah4 · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by JANJ

It´s a LBBG.
JanJ

but then on the other hand ...

andy101 · Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:53

Thanks for the Input guys.I have to agree withe the LGBG as on further zooming in on the legs they are indeed yellow.They looked pink before then.I have one more photo of the bird.

On a side note I have posted this evening several photos of birds and asked for IDs. I am still a newbie at bird watching and photography and still have a lot to learn. I thank everyone for there help.
Best Regards...AJ

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:41	#1
andy101 Andyjjuk Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salford Posts: 53	Great Black Backed Gull? Hi folks, Taken in St Helier Jersey last week, I think it is a Great Black Backed Gull but not sure.I thought at first it was a Herring Gull but the wings look too dark. Regards...AJ Attached Thumbnails __________________ Andy J.J.

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:45	#2
Dave Hall Bumbling Bears Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,549 My location	Hi Andy Looks like a Great Black-backed Gull to me __________________ http://thebumblingbears.zenfolio.com/

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:48	#3
Laurence H Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: East Lothian Posts: 151	I'll disagree and say Lesser, as I think a Greater would look much blacker even in strong light. Also, it doesn't look bulky enough for Greater. Laurence
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Sunday 3rd June 2007, 20:52	#4
joannec Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 6,639	Great for me. __________________ It is easier to criticize somebody else than to see yourself. G Harrison
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Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:00	#7
Progne Subis Bird is the word... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brier,WA Posts: 1,716	Those legs are clearly yellow on my monitor. Lesser in my opinion. __________________ Tayler Birding: Too much is never enough...

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:00	#8
Andrew Whitehouse Professor of Listening Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 13,739 My location	On my screen, the wings look slightly paler than the primaries and the legs are of rather indeterminate colour. I'd favour LBB on the shape, but I'm struggling to be sure. Other pictures would help me, although possibly others can figure it out just from this one. __________________ Andrew Listening to Birds

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:03	#9
Rick Wright, Tucson Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC, and Tucson, AZ Posts: 310	The far wing appears to show a black terminus to the outermost primary from beneath, which if true makes it a Lesser Black-back. __________________ Rick Wright Vancouver and Tucson

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:10	#10
deborah4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sussex Posts: 6,593	Primary spots and wide tertial crescent suggest GBBG
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:33	#11
JANJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,791	Hi all. It´s a LBBG. The white mirror - although looking large on this one, with a - as Rick puts it - a black terminus. Structure is better for LBBG (females are smaller and a female GBBG approaches a male LBBG in size but GBBG struckture with small looking eye and heavier bill is often evident) There seems to be an obvious contrast between upperparts and primaries - which has much less white compared to an adult summer GBBG - and looks better for graellsii - give and take a few Kodak Grey Scales darker because of the photo. Yellow legs backs it up. JanJ Last edited by JANJ : Sunday 3rd June 2007 at 21:35.

Sunday 3rd June 2007, 21:53	#13
andy101 Andyjjuk Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salford Posts: 53	Thanks for the Input guys.I have to agree withe the LGBG as on further zooming in on the legs they are indeed yellow.They looked pink before then.I have one more photo of the bird. On a side note I have posted this evening several photos of birds and asked for IDs. I am still a newbie at bird watching and photography and still have a lot to learn. I thank everyone for there help. Best Regards...AJ Attached Thumbnails __________________ Andy J.J.

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