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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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Neil Morris wrote: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

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

Theo

The other side I suppose.

JanJ

JanJ wrote:The other side I suppose.

JanJ

Yes Jan - and such a beautiful backdrop!