First record of Kumlien's Gull in Germany

The German Rarity Committee Deutsche Seltenheitenkommission (DSK) has accepted one record of Kumlien’s Gull from the major influx in Europe during the winter 2011-2012.

The accepted bird was a 3cy individual seen 15.3-5.4.2012 in Salzgitter Heerte in Niedersachsen. Martin Gottschling has kindly allowed me to include his photos in this post.

Other photos can be found in these links: 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 24.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 15.3.2012, 15.3.2012, 15.3.2012 and 15.3.2012.

The swedish record of Kumlien's Gull from the 2012-influx

The Swedish Rarities Committee (Sveriges Ornitologiska Förenings Raritetskommittén) has accepted one records of Kumlien’s Gull from the major influx in Europe during the winter 2011-2012.

Details: 2012 18-24.1, 1 4 cy. Glommens hamn, Halland

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.

See more photos here: 19.1.2012, 19.1.2012, 19.1.2012, 20.1.2012, 20.1.2012, 20.1.2012, 23.1.2012.

Kumlien’s Gull in Norway during the record influx in 2012

The Norwegian Rarities Committee (NSKF) has recently accepted seven records of Kumlien’s Gull from the major influx during the winter 2011-2012. However, note that not all claims have yet been submitted and the actual number of Kumlien's Gull in Norway during the influx may thus be higher.

Photos of the seven accepted records can be found in the links below:


ØSTFOLD:

4K Utgårdskilen, Vesterøy, Hvaler 8.-12.2* (F) (R. G. Bosy mfl.).

See photos here: 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 12.2.2012, 12.2.2012, 12.2.2012, 12.2.2012 and 12.2.2012.



TELEMARK:

Ad. Langesund, Bamble 21.1-23.2* (F) (*Ø. W. Johannessen mfl.).

See photos here: 18.1.2012, 18.1.2012, 18.1.2012 and 21.1.2012.



ROGALAND:

4K Ølberg havn, Sola 24.-27.1* (F) (E. Ween mfl.).

See photo here: 24.1.2012.



SØR-TRØNDELAG:

4K Gaulosen og Buvika, Melhus og Skaun 14.-28.1* (F) (*T. Bollingmo mfl.).

See photos here: 14.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 22.1.2012, 22.1.2012, and 22.1.2012.



4K Nidarø, Trondheim 15.-28.1* (F) (O. Heggøy, A. Winnem mfl.).

See photos here: 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 18.1.2012, 18.1.2012, 22.1.2012, 23.1.2012 and 23.1.2012.



NORDLAND:

4K Glea, Røstlandet, Røst 16.1* (F) (S. Baines).

See photos here: 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012 and 16.1.2012.



4K Glea, Røstlandet, Røst 6.2* (F) (S. Baines).

See photo from: 6.2.2012.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with reduced pigmentation seen in Grenaa Harbour

Some of these pale type Herring Gulls can recall birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as this individual lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull when it comes to the pattern on each feather, is is considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced or aberrant pigmentation.

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 1cy, 14.9.2014, Grenaa Harbour

As highlighted by Lou Bertalan please note that the P5 in right wing is pale and looks like a 2nd generation feather.

Note that the pale P5 in right looks like a 2nd generation feather. S1 in left wing is pale greyish in a similar way

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 4cy, 14.9.2014, Grenaa Harbour

This could be a pure cachinnans and even though one may argue that most of the features seen in this bird also fit argentatus, there are firm clues that at least one of the parents must have been a cachinnans. Even though the upperparts are rather pale; iris rather pale; head relatively striated; and the black band on P5 rather narrow, it would not surprise me if it still fits within the phenotypic variation found in true cachinnans. However, a hybrid or backcross is not easy to rule out.

The winter streaks in head are needle-thin and very distinctive without the typical coarse spotted argentatus appearance; cachinnans can have such streaks in autumn as also seen on Netfugl.

Characters in favor of cachinnans are e.g. the relative and thin long legs compared to the adjacent Herring Gulls, a bill which is relative slim without pronounced gonys angle, a dark red orbital ring, reminiscence of a cachinnans neck boa with dark spots on lower neck, and upperparts which are marginally darker than on nearby argentatus.