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Southend Pier (Essex) today (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter KenM
- Start date
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Hello Ken,
yes I agree with you, the pattern on the new scapulars is slightly finer, not so bold/rough than in a 100%ID book Herring Gull (vaguely reminiscent of a Caspian Gull, but still without a simple dark streak or a diamond shaped center=that's how I like them).
And seeing this, I think I can just make out an indication of the "giraffe like" Caspian Gull shape with a smallish head and a protruding breast (what's the English word for Kropf?)
Is this enough to suggest Caspian Gull influence, when the bird looks predominantly like a 1st cycle Herring Gull to me? No above my paygrade, but like you I hope for Lou and others to jump in so we can learn. Thanks!
yes I agree with you, the pattern on the new scapulars is slightly finer, not so bold/rough than in a 100%ID book Herring Gull (vaguely reminiscent of a Caspian Gull, but still without a simple dark streak or a diamond shaped center=that's how I like them).
And seeing this, I think I can just make out an indication of the "giraffe like" Caspian Gull shape with a smallish head and a protruding breast (what's the English word for Kropf?)
Is this enough to suggest Caspian Gull influence, when the bird looks predominantly like a 1st cycle Herring Gull to me? No above my paygrade, but like you I hope for Lou and others to jump in so we can learn. Thanks!
lou salomon
the birdonist
Nothing that suggests anything other than 1cy Herring Gull here. Scapulars are of a slightly finer pattern but they are one of the most variable things among first cycle large gulls. All visible greater covert bar is checkered and coverts widely interspersed with white, tertials with wide pale tips but not the moonlike crescents of Caspian Gull. Head and neck evenly and extesively streaked.
KenM
Well-known member
It must have been the smaller dark eye, gony angle to the “biggish” bill, pale almost sloping head perhaps giving it a Caspian feel, plus perhaps also the longish legs that said, I had noted the checkered coverts which I’m aware is a Herring Gull feature, hence my inclusion of that species in the mix.
Cheers Lou quite instructive!….am now on the prowl for those moonlike crescents.🤣👍
