Putative 2cy michahellis from Denmark

[RSNaarhus]

Hi

I would like some responses to this gull that I saw at Løkken in the northern part of Jutland, Denmark on the 11th of October.

To me it looks an awful lot like a 2cy michahellis but the bird was never seen in flight. What made me suspicious was the mantle that was shade darker than the surrounding Herring Gulls, the very dark smaller wing coverts, a somewhat sporty appearance, black bill, squarish head and dark eye mask.

Can 2cy Herring Gull be ruled out from the existing photos?

Also LBB has been mentioned as an option but to me the bird does not have a dark enough mantle and also seems to big, although LBB´s do vary a lot.

Comments on the ID are very welcome.

Best wishes, Rune Sø Neergaard

[JanJ]

Hi Rune!

Why not a michahellis?
In the second set with the Herring to the right it looks quite similar but structurally and with a different covert pattern and rather plain median coverts it has the look of michahellis imo.

JanJ

[marsmuusse]

Many 2cy micha show a grey saddle (scap region) by now, which this bird obviously doesnot have. Still the extent of wing-coverts replaced in the partial autumn moult should safely rule out Herrings. The fine streaks and eye mask probably better fit micha than LBBG, and especially intermedius should be not this bulking in comparison to Herrings?