Herring age and subspecies

[Rui_Caratão]

Spotted this month in the north of Portugal...
Could this gull be a tatus herring in her 3 cy ? Primary pattern is confusing me, should the P10 pattern be discernible so soon?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8103 ... b3be_h.jpg

best regards,
Rui

[marsmuusse]

Hi Rui,
I don't know if it is nominate argentatus; could well be the western taxon argenteus. Indeed, 3cy bird in autumn, outer primaries still growing.

If you want to check plumages from ringed birds:
September: http://www.gull-research.org/hg/HG3CY09.htm
October: http://www.gull-research.org/hg/HG3CY10.htm
November: http://www.gull-research.org/hg/HG3CY11.htm

If you want tyo check ringed birds from the various projects:
All ringed HG: http://www.gull-research.org/hg/HGrings.html

Cheers, Mars

[Rui_Caratão]

Thanks Mars, I guess argenteus could not be ruled out... thanks for links the last one is very helpfull to find herring plumages by geographic place.

best regards,
Rui