white winged gulls

[AlanTilmouth]

Some pictures of Iceland and probable 3rd-winter kumlieni from Shetland recently by Hugh Harrop. 3rd winter is interesting showing a pale eye and unmarked white primary tips. http://hughharropwildlifephotography.bl ... gulls.html

[JanJ]

Some 'white-vinged' among these:

http://starling.dyndns.org/~birdkitahir ... l05a02.htm

JanJ

[marsmuusse]

Today, my brother Theo called me just before noon to tell he found an adult Iceland Gull with pattern on the outer primaries, particularly obvious on P7, that showed a grey sub-terminal band on the folded wing. The bird was sleeping with head in the scapulars most of the time, resting on the water of an inland fresh water reservoir (3.5x0.7 km large) at about 400 meter distance. So now and then it raised the head and despite the distance, the iris seemed to be dark. It associated (loosly) with the only 4 LBBG at the reservoir. Although both Black-headed Gulls and larger gulls came in to bath and preen and went again, the target bird fortunately remained at the reservoir.

Later that afternoon the resting group quickly grew and we managed to attracked gulls by feeding bread. The Iceland Gull responded as well and I managed to take a few snap-shots. There is obvious dark (grey) on the outer-web of P10; this is even more prominent on P9 where it is almost blackish; and there are sub-terminal bands on P8, P7, P6; with the one on P7 most obvious. At closer range the iris appeared dark again indeed, and the legs seemed really pure pink, although I hesitate to use the word 'bubblegum pink', but is was close to that.

If this indeed is an adult Kumlien's Gull, it will be only the second for our country, and surely at an unexpected location.
Any comments are much appreciated.

LINKS:
Surfbird forum discussion: http://www.surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8259
Peter Adriaens New Foundland Kumlien: http://www.aerc.eu/KumliensGull/index.htm
Febr 2011 Hugh Harrop: http://hughharropwildlifephotography.bl ... gulls.html

Mars

[adriaens]

Looks like a fine Kumlien's Gull indeed!!

[marsmuusse]

More pictures of this bird.

Mars

[Theo Muusse]

Yes, a fine day it wass!!

Theo

[JanJ]

That´s a great find of the brother

JanJ

[Amar Ayyash]

I don't see anything that disagrees with Kumlien's Gull. This individual's primary pattern looks a lot like 35A.31 in Howell and Dunn. Body size looks larger than average, but I've seen Kumlien's that easily approach American Herring Gulls. Size might be exaggerated by the surrounding Black-headed Gulls. Congratulations.

Best,
Amar Ayyash
Frankfort, IL USA
http://anythinglarus.blogspot.com/

[marsmuusse]

Thanks to everybody who responded, here or by private mail.
If I'm right, this will only be the 3rd record for the Netherlands for kumlieni, and the first adult.
So, one more picture should be not a real problem?

Mars

[Theo Muusse]

I believe its only the second, after a 2nd winter at Schiermonnikoog, seen by only one observer.
This time, 13 lucky observers enjoyed the bird.
This early morning, at 6.25 am, the bird had gone...

Theo