Gull ID North Yorkshire UK (1 Viewer)

[SteveClifton]

Perhaps it would be helpful to hear how others also concluded this was a Herring Gull? I grew up surrounded by mainly Herring Gulls - I was always amazed by the variation - even after 30 years of looking at them, I would still be caught out sometimes!

I agree they constantly surprise you! When picking out YLG in a UK context I like to see them in all aspects: in flight from above and below, on the water, standing etc and hopefully in direct comparison with similar species (HG & LBBG). Obviously we don't have all of that here.

The lack of an obvious ear-covert smudge, the smaller bill, and apparent lack of any wing covert moult all seem to fit HeGu better, but I admit confidence is only 90% for me without seeing the full picture. Of course, Lou's agreement here on HeGu counts for a lot too!

Tail bands and primary windows can appear more/less obvious depending on light, angle and camera settings-hence my caution here.

 

[Dutchbirder64]

I am towards a Caspian Gull. Dark eye?? Gonys angle on bill not really pronounced. It shows the grey-brown boa on lower hindneck. The only thing I am in doubt with is the underwing, but as SteveClifton said gulls are often anything but typical.

 

[lou salomon]

some ID points: strongest feature is the large pale window (inner primaries), pale parts extending well onto outer webs to p1-5. to this extent, it is hardly seen in any other european taxon, rarely in caspian. it is not a caspian gull since it is stongly marked on underparts, on uppertail coverts and has a contrasting pattern on inner greater coverts. bill would be on the short side for a female casp as well.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

some ID points: strongest feature is the large pale window (inner primaries), pale parts extending well onto outer webs to p1-5. to this extent ...

Thanks Lou - that was what for me was the clincher cf to YLG but am no where near your level of competence with gulls (which is why I rarely comment on gull ID threads) so good to hear this from you.

Dutchbirder - I think everyone after seeing thousands of gulls would conclude there is often no ‘typical!

 

[SteveClifton]

Thanks Lou - that was what for me was the clincher cf to YLG but am no where near your level of competence with gulls (which is why I rarely comment on gull ID threads) so good to hear this from you.

Every day's a school day! And this is why Lou deserves his annual bonus each year

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Every day's a school day! And this is why Lou deserves his annual bonus each year

Well he slipped away before I payed my fee so hopefully a B will suffice

 

[TimGeR]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Axillaries & underwing coverts look quite dusky too, another pro Herring, anti Caspian feature if I've understood correctly.