1st Calender Graellsii/Intermedius Gull in Stockholm?

[Alan Dalton]

Hello all,

I have been watching my local gull site, Skeppsbron, near the centre of Stockholm, Sweden as often as possible since the begining of July. To date, 2012 has seen very good numbers of Light Mantled LBBG, at least three birds to date, all 3rd calender or older...
From mid July, a few 1st calender LBBG began to appear as expected, though among the Baltic LBBG there came a couple of birds which caught my eye. On bird was observed daily from 16th July-20th July, when I secured some decent shots. I am leaning towards Graellsii/Intermedius with regard to this bird, comments welcome..
Perhaps generally overlooked, it is surely not too mmuch of a stretch that 1st calender birds move into the baltic sea in small numbers after dispersal from breeding sites.

[marsmuusse]

Hi Alan,
I completely agree that one can surely expect graellsii and even more, intermedius, to turn up near Stockholm in late summer. However, in fresh juvenile plumage they are hard (impossible) to separate, although typical contrastingly patterned, elongated fuscus are very eye-catching birds sometimes.