probable adult Baltic Gull (larus fuscus fuscus)

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richard lowe
Posts:17
Joined:Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:05 pm
probable adult Baltic Gull (larus fuscus fuscus)

Post by richard lowe » Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:46 am

This stunning adult fuscus-type was at Albert Village Lake, Leicestershire, U.K. on 16th October 2014. The smallish size (relative to adjacent LBB's graellsii/intermedius), black upperparts with a 'mahogany' tinge, clean white head and underparts, very long primary projection, slim build and dainty bill were all good pointers for fuscus. A video grab (see pics) revealed a full set of primaries with no sign of moult and the outer primaries showed worn vestigial white tips (barely visible) with a smallish mirror on P10 - all good fuscus features. However, it worried me that the inner primaries up to P5 appeared reasonably fresh compared to the outers. Is this a typical appearance for an adult fuscus in October? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Regards to you all, Richard Lowe (Derbyshire, England.)
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poss fuscus Ad AVL 16 10 2014 7 web.jpg
poss fuscus Ad AVL 16 10 2014 7 web.jpg (84.67KiB)Viewed 2911 times
poss fuscus AD AVL 16 10 2014 6 web.jpg
poss fuscus AD AVL 16 10 2014 6 web.jpg (73.41KiB)Viewed 2911 times
poss fuscus Ad AVL 16 10 2014 2 web.jpg
poss fuscus Ad AVL 16 10 2014 2 web.jpg (72.55KiB)Viewed 2911 times

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marsmuusse
Posts:666
Joined:Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:43 pm

Re: probable adult Baltic Gull (larus fuscus fuscus)

Post by marsmuusse » Sun Oct 26, 2014 8:38 pm

Hi Richard,
Great bird, great find.
It is not uncommon to find birds with the inner 5 primaries in better condition than the outer 5, as these are the primaries hidden under and protected by the tertials in resting birds. As a result, they get less sun radiation and climate influences in general, hence will be better preserved than outer feathers and wing-coverts.

richard lowe
Posts:17
Joined:Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:05 pm

Re: probable adult Baltic Gull (larus fuscus fuscus)

Post by richard lowe » Sun Dec 07, 2014 1:13 pm

Many thanks Mars - concise and informative as always.

What are the Forum's / GRO's views on whether an unringed adult 'Baltic Gull' (L.f.fuscus) showing all the 'fuscus' features (but also including P10 projecting beyond P9 on the closed wing and no primary moult as well as 'classic' structure and plumage etc.) can be identified beyond reasonable doubt in October?

Many birders (me included!) would argue that the probability of an 'intermedius' showing 'fuscus' structure AND plumage AND P10 projecting beyond P9 AND no primary moult is so small as to be negligible.

Regards and seasonal greetings to you all, Richard Lowe (Derbyshire, England.)

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