Information about the breeding colony Gatovo (Belarus)

[Dmitry Goncharov]

Dear colleagues,
Last season I found on the roofs of industrial buildings near Minsk (Belarus), several breeding colonies (CG + HG + LBBG). The largest of these was located on the roof size 240х480 m in Gatovo village and included 1,830 nests cachinanns + argentatus + fuscus and part of the mixed pairs. I often have questions accurately identify taxa. Nests are located mainly at the base of rooflights, ventilators, often among the vegetation on the the broken stone-gravel. Most nests contained three eggs (the norm), and some even six (two females - adult + 4 cy). Hatching chicks began in May. Frequently observed bird deaths on various factors: man-made traps, overheating of the roof, falling flying chicks.
Individual photos are suggested for information.
I would really appreciate for the information on the colonial settlements of the complex «argentatus-cachinanns-fuscus», located on rooftops of your region.
Dmitry.

[marsmuusse]

Hi Dmitry

Must be great to do some trapping, to measure these birds.

Mars

[lou bertalan]

hi dmitry,

that seems to be in the hybrid zone argentatus x cachinnans. with ringing birds and taking pics of them you eventually you might get an overview of the percentages of pure cachinnans, pure argentatus and possible hybrids. but a large set of pics showing birds with open wings (both upper- and underside) the differences in wingpattern might give a clue. do you have flightshots? which you may post e.g. here: viewforum.php?f=11 - if you regularly post pics there, yome of the moderaters might create an own forum like the bucharest one. i would find that pretty informative since there hasn't been much on the internet from belorus about their breeding large gulls. which kind of LBBG do you have in the colony???

best,

lou

[Dmitry Goncharov]

Hi Mars,
I have 10 photos of ringed birds from Belarus. In what section of the forum I can place information about the rings?
All the best,
Dmitry

[Dmitry Goncharov]

Hi Lou,
To establish the exact ratio (CG + HG + LBBG + hybrids) in the area intergradations is problematic due to the number of birds (for this is necessary a lot of traps, and I often work alone). I can only tell about domination of L.cachinanns. On thе roof is registered nesting at least of two pairs LBBG. I'm not sure about the definition - graellsii - fuscus - intermedius - heuglini. The question of their diagnostics remains open.
On ph.1. - graellsii/intermedius, ph.2-4. - CG adult, ph.5-8. - CG 4cy, ph.9-12. - HG 4cy?
I would be very grateful for your opinion.
All the best,
Dmitry

[Theo Muusse]

Hi Mars,
I have 10 photos of ringed birds from Belarus. In what section of the forum I can place information about the rings?
All the best,
Dmitry

In the Belarus section!
I am interested!

Theo

[Theo Muusse]

I see many straightforward herring gulls, a few uncertain from only one picture and just a few birds I would call 'pure' cachinnans.
The graellsii type is interesting, given the location, half way between graellsii and heuglini territory...

Theo

[Dmitry Goncharov]

CG and perhaps hybrids in a mixed colony on the roof of the building (06-05-2013).

[Dmitry Goncharov]

The second year in a row a nesting of LBBG is noted on the roof of a building in Gatovo in the same place in a mixed colony.
Subspecies status is not yet known (graellsii or intermedius?).

[Ronald Klein]

Dmitri, a 2000er mixed colony explains some mysteries in Western Europe. There is evolution at our door and in front of our eyes, seems to be high pressure of cachinnans to Northwest. The same in Poland and East Germany. What I can say - ring, ring, ring them. I am sure, there are many surprises to expect.