Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 2cy, 27.12.2009, Jegens Odde, Læsø

This Caspian Gull represents the first ever documented record of the species on the island Læsø in the North Sea bay of Kattegat. It has an all characteristic plumage for the age class with a small white mirror visible on the outer most primary (p10) which is classic for 2nd winter cachinnans and very unusual in argentatus.

Additionally it has relative long legs where the thinner appearance with longer tibia compared to argentatus is quite distinctive, the bill is without pronounced gonys angle, it has distinctive dark spotted neck boa in contrast to the more whitish rather unspotted head and there is a well-defined broad black tail band with the inner tail half being unmarked white. It has a good cachinnans jizz with a high push up breast, belly slightly dropped behind legs and long slim rear giving an elongated impression.