Second calendar year, England 29 Jan 2011

[Neil Morris]

This first winter (second year) gull was photographed in southern England this weekend (Sat 29 Jan). I'd appreciate any reactions and thoughts on identification.

[JanJ]

Mixed feelings, which means genes of both Herring and Caspian (?). Almost to unmarked and gleaming white underparts for a Caspian, maybe better fitting an odd Herring. Ther´s something about the proportions bill and head, more in line with Herring (I know it´s dangerous to rely to much on this)
Anyway a great bird!
JanJ

[Ronald Klein]

I see no features of HG. It is a fine Caspian Gull.

[Theo Muusse]

I stick to JanJ...
Apart from the head, the beautiful greater covert pattern is as on many herrings and a few or no caspians.

Theo

[Ronald Klein]

Covert pattern is a bad feature. In this case within variation, I saw it similar also in (ringed) YLG.

[Neil Morris]

Thanks for your comments. I have two questions:
- Would the apparent state of moult in the retrices be more unusual for a HG at this time than a Caspian? (Of course, if it is of mixed parentage, then who knows what would be the normal moult state);
- The second generation central tail feathers do appear to be unusually sparsely marked for a pure Caspian.

[lou bertalan]

Thanks for your comments. I have two questions:
- Would the apparent state of moult in the retrices be more unusual for a HG at this time than a Caspian? (Of course, if it is of mixed parentage, then who knows what would be the normal moult state);
- The second generation central tail feathers do appear to be unusually sparsely marked for a pure Caspian.

i have noted the 2nd gen rectr., neil. it is unusual for both but possible. maybe more often in caspians, i don't know, michahellis do show it more often. otherwise i stick to my comment on "gulls": http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p ... count=1764

[Theo Muusse]

We saw a 1cy caspian once, in late november, showing a whole fresh 2nd gen tail...

Theo

[JanJ]

The other side I suppose.

JanJ

[Neil Morris]

The other side I suppose.

JanJ

Yes Jan - and such a beautiful backdrop!