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Hi

I photographed this 1st cycle gull on the 19th of May at Hvide Sande on the danish west coast.

To me it looks like a Caspian Gull but the dark underwings seems odd. The pattern on the scapulars do not fit michahellis I think.

Also it might be an argentatus x cachinnans?

Best wishes, Rune

Really, noboby has any opinions on this bird?

Hans Larsson apparantly thinks this bird best fits michahellis, but I still think the scapulars look worong for this species....

Any thoughts?

Best wishes, Rune

Hi Rune,

I'd share Lars' opinion about this bird: it looks so good, structurally for a micha, that it has to be one: an odd one with cachi scaps!

best whishes from Gotland,

Lou

Hi Lou

I have been waiting to hear your opinion. It is greatly aprreciated.

If you say the pattern on the scapulars fits within the variation of michahellis then I will rest at ease and accept this as such.

By the way: Have you seen this scap-pattern on michahellis previously?

Also as I mentioned initially the underwing coverts would be very deviant for a cachinnans.

Best wishes, Rune

yes, I have seen it in micha although only once. such birds are difficult and a lot of other features should be checked. rectrices seem to be all 2nd gen., right?

It looks like the inner primaries in at least the right wing appear to be 2nd generation.
Together with the dark underwing, why not a lbbg type?

Theo

Lou, I don't know if they are (i.e. 2. gen retrices). I had not given this any thought to be honest.

I only saw the bird very briefly through my bins before it flew of.

Theo, what kind of LBBG are you considering. I really do not see this being an intermedius or graellsii let alone a fuscus. The scaps could fit heuglini but from what I know of this form it most often shows paler underwings in this age - am I right? Also heuglini have never been officially recorded in Denmark...

Best wishes, Rune

Well, I name what I see...
Heuglini is an option, since you call it a dark cachinnans.

Theo

actually, having a look at it again on the big PC screen - can't really stick to my initial statement that it is a YLG...it looks too much cachi-like on plumage and there would be the chance of an oddie with dark underwing and short bill - maybe influenced by tatus genes...

lou

Thanks for the answers.

I think this bird is best left uidentified.

To my eyes it most probably at least have some genes from cachinnans in it.

Best wishes, Rune