Gulls in Switzerland (again) (1 Viewer)

[SternaParadisaea]

Hello,

I observed again gulls in Switzerland this week. I found some interesting individuals.

First, two candidates for first winter LBBG:



With my current knownledge, I would argue that the first one is in fact a YLG, due to the beak shape, the head shape, and the advanced molt in the coverts. But in the field the amount of dark brown feathers in the scapulars distinguished this bird to the others YLGs. There is also no "anchor pattern", contrary to the typic YLGs.

The second bird seems to fit better with LBBG criteria. What do you think?
Finally, I saw this very strange second-winter gull:




Compared to the second winter YLGs, the molt is clearly much less advanced. However, I don't think this is a Herring gull due the wing and tail patterns which match much better with the YLG, and the long primary projection. In the field, this gull looked smaller than the other YLG. I also found its grey feathers lighter than those of second winter YLGs, but that could be a illusion due to the rarity of the grey in that bird.

Is that only an anomalous YLG?

Have a good evening!

 

[martyrynin]

Hi Sterna,

An old thread, but a chance to learn all the same. I'm definitely finding it to be quite a challenge!

I believe you are correct that the first bird is a Yellow-legged gull, although I couldn't find a photo of a bird that quite matched.
Some plus points in my view:

• Deepish breast
• Large head with flat crown and fat neck
• Strongly curved bill tip
• Longish legs (at least not short looking)
• Pale base to the lower mandible

I also would expect the white head and breast of a first winter LBB to contrast more with the saddle, however in January the bird could be mouting.
Here's an example:

Gull Research Organisation

This website deals with the taxa graellsii & argenteus. Comparison of plumages month by month.

gull-research.org

The second bird initially looks a bit better for LBB, but I can't really see it that well in the photo. Maybe there is enough present for someone to ID.

For the third bird I think you are also correct that it is a YLG, and that you are right when you said "the molt is clearly much less advanced".

In my gull book, it has an illustration of an " early second-winter individual" (Jul-Feb) that appears to match your photo fairly well, although "Retarded birds later in second-winter may look like this individual", so I assume this gull is "retarded" if it was seen in January?