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What kind of gull is this?
C

What kind of gull is this? (?)

Spotted this in Dunmore East on the south coast if Ireland. Certainly doesn't look like an immature Herring/GBBG to me. Is it maybe an Iceland or Glaucous gull? Both of these species have been known to winter in Ireland.

Any help ID'ing this would be great.

Thanks a lot,
C
Habitat
Coast
Location
Dunmore East, Ireland
Date taken
09/01/2016
Scientific name
?
Equipment used
Nikon D3200, Sigma 150 - 600mm lens
Sorry but I disagree Mark - I think it's a first winter Glaucous gull. Primary projection beyond the tail is very short, shows a white eyelid, back of neck is marked not white and overall it just looks too bulky for an Iceland. Dark eye and bill colour indicate first winter.
Post it on the ID forum if you want a definitive answer.
Agree it's a nice photo though!
Mick
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
LOL I didn't know... my first thought was Iceland... as Glaucous has never crossed my horizon.

Agree with Mick... post it in the [COLOR="Blue"]ID forum[/COLOR], you'll get a definitive answer there.

A super picture to get of him - well done CW.
 
1st winter Iceland gull. Don't look to closely at plumage, concentrate on the structure, the head is rounded and kind looking, the bill is fairly small, and not obviously two tone, the primary projection is long but may look shorter than it should due to the way it is facing.
 
Its A First Winter Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gulls Our So Much Smaller, Seen A Few In Our Birding Years!!!
Were Sure This Helps
All The Best,
Sue & Simon,!!
Mind You A Fabulous Image Also, !!!!!!
 
Well that's cleared that up then!
Agree the head/face/bill does look 'kinder' than the Glaucs I've seen around Svalbard, but the other features to me do point to Glaucous. Possibly a female.
ID forum for this one please!
 
I'm interested in how you can tell how big it is from a photograph to say it's a Glaucous Gull, (there is nothing in the picture to compare it too) size is not really ever an accurate way of seperating these species as there is variation between sexes of each species with the largest Iceland gull being not far off the smallest Gluacous. This aside, the structure of the bird as I described in my first comment all fit Iceland Gull. I can see the pose and angle of bird in the photo does make it appear bulky but nothing beyond what an Iceland gull should look like. I too have many years of experience with both these species living in northern Scotland I'm very familiar with them both seeing several individuals each year.
 

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Britain & Europe
Added by
CWOBrien
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