Gull ID please, Cambridgeshire (2 Viewers)

[colincurry]

Out snapping on Sunday and met a fully trained birder with much more knowledge than me. In his scope, he picked up this; and thought it might be a yellow-legged gull which he would investigate further.

Any views please?

Thanks

Colin

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Colin,

maybe its better to post this in the ID forum?

And do you have more pictures? Preferably showing an open wing?

I see why you both picked this candiadate, and when you ID the bird in the field as a YLG than this is a strong point you know, but as you asked my thoughts:

• many 2nd cycle YLG have a coarser pattern on the visible greater coverts. Your gull have a blackish centered, whitish fringed ones
• many new generation scapulars and the back have extensive pale fringes and a broad rounded dark center
• some YLG have a more complex pattern on the tertials, but yes variation
• (and I looked at your picture on three different devices now, and think the grey on the back is slightly too smokey grey)
• and this came into my mind top: yes, the gently rounded yet slightly bulbous forehead together with the bill shape gives your bis a slight reminiscence to a Great Black backed Gull. And therefore adds to a YLG jizz, but some Lesser Black backed Gulls are more strongly build and arent dainty, elongated and gently round-headed.

Conclusion? As said, I cant ID your bird with confidence and cant exclude a 3cy LBBG. Please move it to the ID section so we get more comments. Thanks!

 

[colincurry]

Hello Colin,

maybe its better to post this in the ID forum?

And do you have more pictures? Preferably showing an open wing?

I see why you both picked this candiadate, and when you ID the bird in the field as a YLG than this is a strong point you know, but as you asked my thoughts:

• many 2nd cycle YLG have a coarser pattern on the visible greater coverts. Your gull have a blackish centered, whitish fringed ones
• many new generation scapulars and the back have extensive pale fringes and a broad rounded dark center
• some YLG have a more complex pattern on the tertials, but yes variation
• (and I looked at your picture on three different devices now, and think the grey on the back is slightly too smokey grey)
• and this came into my mind top: yes, the gently rounded yet slightly bulbous forehead together with the bill shape gives your bis a slight reminiscence to a Great Black backed Gull. And therefore adds to a YLG jizz, but some Lesser Black backed Gulls are more strongly build and arent dainty, elongated and gently round-headed.

Conclusion? As said, I cant ID your bird with confidence and cant exclude a 3cy LBBG. Please move it to the ID section so we get more comments. Thanks!

Thanks, Alexander for the comprehensive reply. I have done as you suggested.