Gull ID - Herring or Caspian (1 Viewer)

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Frost1976

Well-known member

• Jun 6, 2020

• #1

Hi, could anyone please give me a bit of help on this 1/2 winter gull on the Thames this week. I think it's probably Herring, but I thought the bill a bit long and the bird pale(ish) which made me wonder if a small chance of Caspian!

Grateful for any help and pic is of course only from a phone and at distance so not great, especially when reduced in size!

 

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Julie50

Mostly in the Midlands :)

Supporter

• Jun 6, 2020

• #2

OK - I am very new at this - so am probably wrong, but need to practice, especially in Lockdown. The real gull guys will probably say I am wrong - but hopefully will also say why!

I am going Caspian due to; paler head, dark tail and bigger contrast between the coverts and tertials!

 

S

Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Jun 6, 2020

• #3

Herring Gull.

 

Julie50

Mostly in the Midlands :)

Supporter

• Jun 6, 2020

• #4

Hi Steve - Could I ask - what did I get wrong?

 

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Frost1976

Well-known member

• Jun 6, 2020

• #5

Julie, thank you for your reply and the same question to Steve from me!

 

Essex Tern

🪶

Supporter

• Jun 6, 2020

• #6

I think the overall feel of the bird is too heavy for Caspian, head and neck too thick set and body and legs too dumpy, compare with http://gull-research.org/cachinnans/2cy/2cyjune116.html and http://gull-research.org/cachinnans/2cy/2cyjune123.html

 

F

Frost1976

Well-known member

• Jun 6, 2020

• #7

Ah yes, there's a real difference with those two - cheers

 

Julie50

Mostly in the Midlands :)

Supporter

• Jun 6, 2020

• #8

I have a lot to learn! But I’m going to keep going!