Caspian Gulls? Milicz Ponds, Lower Silesia, Poland 3rd July 2024 (1 Viewer)

[D Halas]

I took these photos today at the Milicz Ponds, in the Barycz River Valley in southwestern Poland. The most common large gull here is Caspian Gull, but Herring Gull occurs as well, and I presume there are also hybrids. From what I can glean from my field guide, these images are consistent with Caspian Gull, but can the other options be ruled out with photos of this quality? The bird in flight is probably a different individual to the bird on the water.

 

[lou salomon]

Both are Caspian Gulls.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

thanks Lou!

So the swimming bird is a 3cy bird by quite uniform adult-yellow bill and (appearent) pure grey mantle?

And the flying bird? A 3cy bird too? Very pale inner primary window, and a large contrast to the worn still blackish primaries?

 

[lou salomon]

hi Alexander, the swimming bird is 3cy but the pattern of inner primaries in the flying one is more in line with a 2cy (2nd generation primaries).

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hi Lou,

thanks as always!