Hi Mars, thank you once again for allowing me to participate on the forum.
You have already been made aware of this gull, by amongst others, Gary Allport.
This gull showed up in mid August 2015 along a fresh water dam in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa and is still currently present. The id is widely debated amongst local South African birders as well as European and Middle Eastern birders with more experience on the large white-headed gulls. Heuglini, cachinnans and taimyrensis have all been mentioned but the verdict is still out there.
Here are a few photos I took in harsh light over this past weekend.
Further discussions is currently ongoing on various Facebook groups. Would love the participants on this forum's views and insights.
Interesting gull from South Africa
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Re: Interesting gull from South Africa
Here are 2 most recent photos of the gull in question taken by Rod Humphris and Michal Groenewald
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Re: Interesting gull from South Africa
like i mentioned in the other forums to me this looks best for a barabensis (steppe gull).