Great or lesser black-backed gull? (1 Viewer)

[gkamov]

Hi there,

A couple of days ago I observed two gulls on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. There have been reports of an active migration of lesser black-backed gull, but this one on the video seemed larger than the usual herring / yellow-legged gull as it flew pretty close to where I was standing.

I couldn't snap good photos, so I only have a video clip (YouTube link). Is there a way to tell if it's a lesser or a great one?

Thanks!

 

[lou salomon]

could you please also post some photos, even if they are bad? this doesn't look like a GBBG, but could be a heuglin's gull. sadly, not confirmable from this video, i guess. it's a bit early for heuglini, maybe.

 

[gkamov]

could you please also post some photos, even if they are bad? this doesn't look like a GBBG, but could be a heuglin's gull. sadly, not confirmable from this video, i guess. it's a bit early for heuglini, maybe.

The best I could do is combine screenshots from the video where key markings might be seen... or not

 

[lou salomon]

was it paler mantled than a baltic gull? can't exclude that one either. and it would be the default black mantled gull in bulgaria with a present strong migration along coast.

 

[gkamov]

Don’t think so - the top of the wings seemed pretty dark. Other birders have reported lesser black-backs in the last week or two here, so it’s most probably that one.

 

[lou salomon]

most probably a baltic gull

 

[gkamov]

Thanks!