GullDK

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides), 3cy, 27.01.2012, University Park, Aarhus

2012-01-29T13:54:00.000+01:00

glaucoides behind the 6th glaucescens in WP...

A unik species combination with 3cy glaucoides next to a 7cy glaucescens...

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad, 22.1.2012, Grenaa Harbor

2012-01-26T21:58:00.000+01:00

This Caspian Gull was also seen last winter in Grenaa Harbor. The bird is male-like in appearance with strong body, large size and heavy bill.

ID is based on snow white head without traces of streaks and with a relative small and very dark eye, a strong bill though with flat gonys angle. The primary pattern is perfect with the outermost p10 having a large white tip and a grey tongue running up the inner web, isolated white mirror on p9 and broad black band on p5 and even a small black spot on outer edge of p4 on the left wing.

Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens), 7cy, 25.01.2012, University Park, Aarhus, Denmark

2012-01-25T21:48:00.000+01:00

The Glaucous-winged Gull has now been relocated for its third consecutive winter in the Aarhus-area following its first discovery in November 2009 where it was in 4th-winter plumage. This time it has been found just few hundred meters from my office at the Natural History Museum Aarhus where it is feeding on bread mainly among Mallards and Black-headed Gull in the small lakes within the University Park.

The Battle of Bread...

Possible Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid

2011-12-12T22:19:00.000+01:00

This gull was photographed on November 28, 2011 and it is the fifth winter it returns to Aarhus Harbour. It has a lot of Caspian Gull to it. However, the ID adds a little uncomfortable feeling as the gull possesses some argentatus-jizz. Even though none of the features that it shows are as itself exclusive of either one of the species most features seem to support cachinnans as best illustrated in the photos from its previous stay in 2010. A hybrid cachinnans x argentatus might be the best explanation?

Each year it is has had the almost complete white summer head from November shortly after arriving at the site. In October 2007 it was seen standing with argentatus, in November 2007 it was also seen standing with argentatus and in December 2007 it was seen with open wing here and here and standing with argentatus. In November 2009 it was seen in flight, standing with argentatus, swimming and standing with argentatus, swimming with argentatus and standing alone.

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus), 2cy, 12.12.2011, Grenaa Harbor

2011-12-12T18:51:00.000+01:00

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with extreme bare part colours

2011-12-08T14:03:00.001+01:00

On November 28th, 2011 at least 15 different Herring Gulls of different age classes were seen with abnormal bare part colours among some 700-1000 large gulls checked on Aarhus Harbour. Have they all been eating the same food with high concentration of Carotenoids?

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), ad, 19.11.2011, Bønnerup Havn, Djursland

2011-11-21T12:00:00.001+01:00

Note the slenderand long-winged appearance with elongated body profile and long yellow legs.

Note therelative heavy bill with strong colours and red gonys spot reaching lower edgeof upper mandible, yellowish iris surrounded by a thick red orbital ring,strong and round head profile.

There is ablack band crossing p5 and a white mirror isolated from the white apical spot onp10.

Note darkerupperparts than argentatus in direct comparison.

The primaries have smaller white apical spots than the average argentatus.

Blackextending fare down the p10 feather towards the primary coverts on theunderwing without a grey tongue on the inner web which suites michahellis just perfect.

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad male, 4.11.2010, Feldballe

2011-11-06T08:39:00.000+01:00

This large male Caspian Gull male was seen just north of Feldballe on Djursland. The primary pattern and many other characters are spot on for cachinnans, but the eye is much paler than on the classic individual. However, Lou Betalan has several similar pale eyed cachinnans on his excellent webpage “caspian and yellow-legged gulls in Romania”.

This male has paler eyes than the average cachinnans, however, note the extended redorbital in front of the eye.

Notethe cachinnans jizz with a push up breast, flat back and slender elongatedrear with long primary projection.

Theprimary pattern is perfect with the outermost p10 having a large white tip anda grey tongue running up the inner web, isolated white mirror on p9 and broadblack band on p5.

Inflight the hand is relative slender and when seen from the under wing the black onprimaries creates a classic cachinnans boomerang.

Notethe yellowish legs.

Thedistinctive black feather shafts on the outer primaries in the upper wing iscommonly seen in adult cachinnans and in the stretched wing the greytongues on the outer primaries are obvious when seen from underneath and evenfrom above.

It hasa snow white head without traces of streaks as in argentatus Herring Gull.

Theupperparts are slightly darker than nearby argentatus which was obvious inboth overcast and sunny weather.

Great Black-backed Gull with yellowish legs

2011-07-24T21:57:00.001+02:00

This Great Black-backed Gull with yellowish legs was seen on the island Nordre Ronner, North Jutland in Denmark, on 2 May 2011.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus intermedius) with leucisme

2011-07-24T21:43:00.003+02:00

This Lesser Black-backed Gull (ssp. intermedius) with symmetric aberrations in the colour of primary coverts was seen on the island Nordre Ronner, North Jutland in Denmark, on 2 May 2011.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 2cy, 22.4.2010, Gjerrild Nordstrand

2011-04-25T16:30:00.000+02:00

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with extra dark upperparts

2011-01-17T21:57:00.002+01:00

This adult Herring Gull was seen in Aarhus Harbor on January 11, 2011. All characters besides the extra dark upperparts appear to fit within the variation of an argentatus even though a hybrid origin cannot de completely dismissed.

Birds from the northeastern most populations of argentatus can have darker upperparts than the more western birds that we normally have in Denmark.

Common Gull (Larus canus) with "retarded" first winter moult

2011-01-17T21:54:00.000+01:00

This 1st winter Common Gull was seen in Aarhus Harbor on January 11, 2011. The largely retained juvenile plumage is surprising seen from a Danish point of view as we mostly see individuals that have completed their first winter moult by January. Such “retarded” individuals either belong to northern late breeding populations or they might be eastern ssp. heinei.

Field identification guide to large gulls in Israel

2011-01-14T11:50:00.003+01:00

This fast identification guide created by Amir Ben Dov and Yoav Perlman aims to assist birders of all levels to find their way through the large gull group occuring in Israel.

Part 1 - updated 14.12.10 Israel large Gulls fast identification guide

View more presentations or Upload your own.

part 2 - Israel large Gulls fast identification guide

View more presentations or Upload your own.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with sooty-brown 2cy plumage

2011-01-02T12:16:00.000+01:00

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 2cy, 3.10.2010, Bagenkop Harbor, Langeland, 7 photos

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 2cy, 9.11.2005, Aarhus East Harbor, 5 photos

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad, 31.12.2010, Grenaa Harbor

2011-01-01T17:47:00.002+01:00

This Caspian Gull was also seen a few weeks ago. The bird is male-like in appearance with strong body, large size and heavy bill.

ID is based on snow white head without traces of streaks and with a relative small and very dark eye, a strong bill though with flat gonys angle. The primary pattern is perfect with the outermost p10 having a large white tip and a grey tongue running up the inner web, isolated white mirror on p9 and broad black band on p5 and even a small black spot on outer edge of p4.

There is broad black band on p5 and even a small black spot on outer edge of p4

P10 has a large white tip and a grey tongue running up the inner web

It has a snow white head without traces of streaks, a relative small and very dark eye and a strong bill though with flat gonys angle

Possible Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid

2011-01-01T15:22:00.007+01:00

This 1st winter gull was seen at Odense Kanal north of Odense on December 30, 2010. All photos were taken by local birder and finder Tim Hesselballe Hansen.

There certainly is some cachinnans in it but many things point to at least f1 or f2 parentage of argentatus especially as the dark markings on uppertail coverts are very coarse as in argentatus. The tail band has a lot of thin additional transversal bands towards the base of rectrices which is a kind of a cachinnans "trademark" but the extensiveness in this individual is together with the heavily patterned uppertail coverts and rump much darker than the average cachinnans so, even if we don't really know it things point to a possible hybrid.

Other individuals with quite similar uppertail here, here and here.

Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), 2cy, 9.2.2008, Esbjerg Harbor

2010-12-30T21:31:00.000+01:00

Found by Ole Zoltan Göller (OZG) in 2007. Other photos from december also here at GullDK.

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), ad, 17.4.2010, Sletterhage, Århus Bugt

2010-12-30T21:18:00.000+01:00

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) with leucisme

2010-12-19T23:52:00.001+01:00

This adult Black-headed Gull was again seen in Aarhus Harbour on December 19, 2010. It has been seen in the central part of Aarhus Harbour for at least 10 winters.

Common Gull (Larus canus) with white mirror in p10 in 1cy plumage

2010-12-19T23:34:00.004+01:00

This 1st winter Common Gull was seen in Grenaa Harbour on December 18, 2010. It has a broad white rounded terminal spot or mirror near the tip of p10.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with leucisme

2010-12-19T23:04:00.003+01:00

This leucistic Herring Gull with primary pattern and upperparts ghosting normal colorations was seen in the central section of Aarhus Harbour again on December 19, 2010.

Other photos of the same individual are here including a few comments.

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) with dark 1cy primary pattern

2010-12-19T22:11:00.000+01:00

The wing pattern of this 1st winter Black-headed Gull represents the darker range of the individual variation, but yet clearly within already known variation. It was seen in Grenaa Harbour on December 3, 2010.

Common Gull (Larus canus) with unstreaked head in winter

2010-12-19T21:52:00.000+01:00

This adult Common Gull was seen at Aarhus Harbour on December 3, 2010. The snow white ‘summer’ head was striking and highly in contrast to all the other Common Gulls with streaked winter heads.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with extensive dusky 'winter streaking'

2010-12-19T21:02:00.002+01:00

This 3rd winter Herring Gull was seen at Fjellerup Strand on the north coast of Djursland on December 18, 2010.

The extensive dusky 'winter streaking' created a striking uniform nicotine shawl which together with the dark tertial centre and rather long primary projection gave some degree of smithsonianus impression.

Could someone provide a link to photos illustrating a similar patterned European Herring Gull?

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with leucisme

2010-12-13T23:18:00.004+01:00

This leucistic Herring Gull with primary pattern and upperparts ghosting normal colorations was seen in the central section of Aarhus Harbour on December 12, 2010. All photos were taken by Peter Nielsen.

In some of the photos one can get impression of some Kumlien's Gull impressions due to the round head with darker eye and rather long primary projection, but the overall jizz is somewhat of a flat backed, slender gull with large head, rather strong bill, reduced tertial step, reduced white tertial and scapular crescent and without a short and plump body.

There are two coverts on the left side which looks wet, but in fact show a degree of normal pigmentation and thus appear darker then the remaining upperparts.

New photos of the same individual are here including the standing bird and stretched wing.

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad, 11.12.2010, Grenaa Harbor

2010-12-11T20:27:00.001+01:00

This Caspian Gull was actually seen very well but some hove great shots were missed including photos of the opened wing. Hopefully I can relocate this gull and obtain a more decent documentation. The ID was nevertheless straight forward as it suddenly stood in the front row of a large gull roost. Through the telescope the snow white head was confirmed without any traces of head streaks, the eye was relative small and very dark, the bill was strong male-like in appearance though with flat gonys angle; in the photo the bill appears rather short due to a slight turned head.

The primary pattern was perfect for a Caspian gull with the outermost p10 having a large white tip and a grey tongue running up the inner web, isolated white mirror on p9 and broad black band on p5. Note hove long the black extends along the outer edge on p5 which is just visible below the lower edge of the white tertial crescent.

Possible Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid

2010-12-04T19:50:00.013+01:00

In most features this gull from Aarhus East Harbour seen on December 2-3, 2010, looks a lot like a pure Caspian Gull even though such an ID adds a little uncomfortable feeling as the gull possesses slight fore-head streaking and streaking on top of its head together with some argentatus-jizz. Even though none of the features that it shows are as itself exclusive of either one of the species most features seem to support cachinnans. It might be safe to say that it is probably a cachinnans but with certain off-typical features.

It is the fourth winter that we see this gull and each year it is has had the almost complete white summer head from November shortly after arriving at the site. In October 2007 it was seen standing with argentatus, in November 2007 it was also seen standing with argentatus and in December 2007 it was seen with open wing here and here and standing with argentatus. In November 2009 it was seen in flight, standing with argentatus, swimming and standing with argentatus, swimming with argentatus and standing alone.

The bare part colour in the opened bill is spot on for cachinnans being orangey-yellow at the base of the mandibles where the skin colour in michahellis is typical blood red and light pink in argentatus.

P5 in the right wing has black only on the outer edge whereas the same feather in the other wing has a narrow though complete black band. Additionally there is little black spot on p4 in both wings, extensive grey tongues on the outer primaries, all white tips on p10, small white mirror on p9.

It has a good cachinnans-jizz with high push up breast, flat belly slightly dropped behind legs. Additionally the upperparts are slightly darker than on nearby argentatus.

Once in a while it gains some argentatus appearance due to e.g. body structure and head/bill profile. The short bill has a rather blunt tip which could fit a cachinnans, but is more argentatus-like.

The eye color is relative dark with a slight green peppering in the iris and when seen at some distance it stood out as being darker than in argentatus. There is a thin red orbital ring seen at close range where argentatus normally has a yellowish ring.

The bill is rather short and blunt at the tip; could fit a cachinnans, but is more argentatus-like.

When feeding on ground or seen on water it mostly gives a cachinnans-jizz with rather small head, slender elongated rear and flat back, high pushed up breast.

The distinctive black feather shafts on the outer primaries in the upperwing are commonly seen in adult cachinnans.

Once in a while it gains some argentatus appearance due to e.g. body structure and head/bill profile.

In the stretched wing the grey tongues on the outer primaries are obvious when seen from underneath and the black on primaries creates a classic cachinnans boomerang.

P5 in the right wing has black only on the outer edge whereas same feather the left wing has a narrow though complete black band. Additionally there is little black spot on p4 in both wings, extensive grey tongues on the outer primaries, all white tips on p10, small white mirror on p9.

In the stretched wing the grey tongues on the outer primaries are obvious when seen from underneath and the black on primaries creates a classic cachinnans boomerang.

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), ad, 3.12.2010, Aarhus East Harbor

2010-12-04T11:38:00.000+01:00

This is the fourth Yellow-legged Gull in Aarhus Harbor this season and the first adult. The three previous records were all first winters as seen on photos are here, here and here.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with extra dark upperparts

2010-12-04T09:54:00.002+01:00

As all characters besides the extra dark upperparts appear to fit within the variation of an argentatus even though a hybrid origin cannot de completely dismissed. Birds from the northeastern most populations of argentatus often have darker upperparts than more western birds.

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad, 2.-3.12.2010, Aarhus East Harbor

2010-12-04T08:45:00.005+01:00

In flight the hand was slender and when seen from the underwing the black on primaries created a classic cachinnans boomerang.

This Caspian Gull has a classic small dark eye with a slight green peppering in the iris. When seen at some distance due to the peppering and the smaller size it stood out as being rather dark in contrast to nearby argentatus.

The white apical spots are all relative small and there is a unique step in distance between tip of p6 and p9 making this individual distinctive.

The upperparts are slightly darker than nearby argentatus which was obvious in both overcast and sunny weather.

In the stretched wing the grey tongues on the outer primaries are obvious.

There is a broad black band on p5, p10 has a isolated mirror and there is even a smaller mirror on p9 which is atypical for western Pontic cachinnans, but typical in more eastern bird within cachinnans populations. From time to time such birds with more black in wingtip than average are observed among Caspian Gulls all over their western winter range and at breeding sites in spring, even in the western Black Sea populations.

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) with leucisme

2010-12-04T08:24:00.003+01:00

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), adult, 3.12.2010, Århus Harbor, this leucistic ridibundus have been seen in the central part of Aarhus Harbor for at least 10 winters

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) with leucisme

2010-12-04T08:20:00.002+01:00

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), adult, 13.1.2008, Århus Harbor, this leucistic ridibundus have been seen in the central part of Aarhus Harbor for at least the seven winters.

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 1cy, 26.11.2010, Universitetsparken, Aarhus

2010-11-26T19:56:00.010+01:00

This heavily marked Caspian Gull visits the small lake outside the Natural History Museum in Aarhus where these photos were taken, but it is also seen on and off in the centre of Aarhus Harbour where it was found last Sunday, November 21. Hopefully this will become a returning individual that can spice up our winter gulls.

Caspian Gull is a large gull but slender in its proportions. Compared to a Herring Gull, it is of similar size or slightly larger (some males very large) but appears longer winged, longer necked, longer legged and longer billed.

On a standing bird, there is a smooth line along the back and into the long narrow blade-like primaries, and the profile of the back is often straight and unbroken without a “step” between the tertials and primaries, in contrast to Herring Gull which has a significant tertial "step". Be aware that in cold and/or windy weather, gulls adopt a more hunched and horizontal posture.

In flight, the dark primaries and secondaries are separated by a weak “window” made up of pale grey on the inner webs of the inner primaries. The brown outer greater coverts form a second block of brown in front of the brown secondaries along the trailing edge of the wing, separated by a distinct white line made up of the pale tips to the coverts.

The tail of first-winter birds is white at the base with a strong black terminal band, which may “fray” into finer black barring towards the white tail base. On fresh birds there may in fact be narrow white tips to the tail feathers.

Caspian Gull has a distinctive posture when calling. Herring and Yellow-legged Gulls keep their wings closed when giving the “long” call, with heads either raised or lowered. Caspian Gulls have a strong tendency to partially open their wings in an “albatross posture” when performing its unique hoarse nasal long call.

The underwing of first-year birds is usually very pale, appearing white from a distance, although in fact the coverts are intricately marked with pale brown. Even where the coverts may be slightly more heavily marked, the axillaries (armpit) are mostly white.

Caspian Gull in first winter plumage is a rather neat gull being mostly white on the head neck and breast, largely grey on the back, brown and white on the wing coverts, and dark black-brown on the primaries. First-winter birds usually show limited head-streaking, being very white on the forehead, crown, cheeks, throat and upper breast. The lower breast and flanks are more smudged with greyish brown markings but are still predominantly white. There may be a light dusky patch made up of diffuse streaking around the eye, and the nape frequently shows narrow longitudinal streaking that can be very sharply defined in extent, forming an obvious “shawl” on the nape and neck sides. The bill is usually all-black on first-winter birds, although the base may start to fade to dull greenish-black in late winter; the bill may rarely show some pink in the base, but this is rather uncommon. The bill is often slender on first-year birds and may show little gonydeal angle. The small dark eye and its positioning on a white head gives Caspian Gull its characteristic gentle expression.

Caspian Gull in first-year plumage shows a lot of grey in the feathers of the mantle and scapulars, usually with narrow dark-shaft streaks and a brown sub-terminal crescent, forming an anchor mark. The markings on the mantle can be quite broad and bold but they are often rather fine and delicate, allowing the scapulars in particular to appear largely grey. The wing coverts in first-winter Caspian Gull are often a rather uniform earth-brown, with fine pale fringing and tips, and lacking strong patterning or notching. The outer greater coverts in particularly are often solidly brown with pale outer fringes and slightly wider white tips and this can produce a quite solid block of brown on the closed wing, demarcated by a line of white tips from the usually blackish primaries. The tertials are blackish brown with narrow white edging and a somewhat broader white tip, sometimes referred to as a “thumbnail”, often split by a dark shaft. They do not show the notching along the edges that is a feature of Herring Gull. Beyond the tertials on the folded wing, the primaries are black without any white tips or mirrors and form a long narrow projection giving the gull a tapered streamlined appearance and the folded primaries form a very sharp narrow point.

Although subtle differences in proportions of the head are rather difficult to portray in words, it is clear that Caspian Gull has a distinct “look” about its face and head. The classic Caspian Gull has a small “pear-shaped” head on a long slim neck, with a long sloping forehead, flat crown and angular nape. The small head, small eye, slender bill and long gape line give it a gentle smiling “facial expression”, without the sharp and aggressive look of a Herring Gull.

Cachinnans has a characteristic posture, standing tall on long legs with the wing-tips often dropped below the horizontal. Often they seems to have a trim belly and a full high breast bulging just below the throat (although of course other gulls may adopt a similar stance).

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus), ad, 2.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-11-04T16:52:00.000+01:00

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus), 1cy, 2.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-11-04T16:27:00.000+01:00

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus intermedius), 1cy, 13.10.2010, Grenaa Harbor

2010-11-03T19:19:00.006+01:00

Putative Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus intermedius), but the identification is hard to clinch for certain without knowing which nesting area the bird originates from.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus intermedius), 1cy, 8.9.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-11-03T19:12:00.002+01:00

Putative Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus intermedius), but the identification is hard to clinch for certain without knowing which nesting area the bird originates from.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), ad, 28.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-11-01T20:31:00.009+01:00

This putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii) is at least a 10th calendar year bird as it has been recorded annually in Aarhus Harbor since 2004 when it was in adult plumage. It's present annually from late summer until late autumn. There is an unread metal ring on its right tarsus and the legs are at maximum only slight yellowish in contrast to other adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls present making it easily identifiable from year to year.

There are photos from August 2004 with yellow legs, September 2005 with pink legs, November 2005 with pink legs, September 2007 with slightly yellowish legs, August 2009 with slightly yellowish legs, September 2009 with slightly yellowish legs, August 2010 with slightly yellowish legs, early September 2010 and late September 2010 with slightly yellowish legs.

Judged only on upper part colors we cannot safely dismiss an intergrade between intermedius and graellsii, but it is much paler than a classical Danish breeding intermedius.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), 3cy, 18.10.2010, Børsmose Strand

2010-10-26T09:06:00.000+02:00

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), 2cy, 18.10.2010, Børsmose Strand

2010-10-25T23:27:00.003+02:00

Putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii). Judged only on upper part colors we cannot safely dismiss an intergrade between intermedius and graellsii (known as Dutch Intergrade), but it is much paler than a classical Danish breeding intermedius.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 1cy, 21.10.2010, Grønningen, Blåvandshuk

2010-10-25T22:22:00.003+02:00

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 3cy, 14.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-10-25T20:11:00.003+02:00

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 1cy, 22.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-10-25T18:29:00.009+02:00

This is a 1cy Herring Gull with some Yellow-legged Gull features. It deserves a second look due to the pale headed appearance and fairly pale underparts, but argentatus Herring Gull seems as a valid identification. The bird as a whole looks like an elegant female Herring Gull, perhaps from the Baltic region.

Yellow-legged Gull features are: 1) outer greater covert pattern is rather uniformly dark, 2) few second generation coverts are present, 3) darkish outer web on inner primaries, although with a rather large pale 'window' on the outer web, perhaps a little too large for michahellis.

Herring Gull features are: 1) argentatus structure, with head shape perhaps not being angular enough for michahellis, 2) tertials having 'oak leaf' pattern with pale notching together with white edge reaching the greater coverts in some of the tertials, 3) fresh plumage without the normal wear associated with early breeding michahellis, 4) inner primaries with dark subterminal tip on inner and outer web, 5) bill size being in the short and slender end for michahellis, 6) tail pattern with narrow tail band and heavy patterned outer feathers is also more argentatus than michahellis like.

Plumage and proportions looks best for argentatus and the michahellis features are actually seen in some Herring Gulls. Not only are the michahellis features within argentatus variation, but michahellis can show notched tertials with white border reaching greater coverts, extensive pale inner webs on inner primaries and it can even show the dark subterminal primary blobs. Thus there is a lot of variation in most of the characters with some overlap between the two species.

The notched 'oak-leaf' tertials as shown by this bird would be very rare in michahellis seen in Denmark and mostly associated with more eastern Yellow-legged Gull such as around Bucharest as seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

All photos taken by Per G. Henriksen (PGH).

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), ad, 20.10.2010, Lakolk Strand, Rømø

2010-10-23T17:53:00.002+02:00

This Yellow-legged Gull has darker upperparts than argentatus in direct comparison. Note hove the black on outer primaries reaches the primary coverts on the folded wing

The fresh primaries have smaller white apical spots than the average argentatus and the tip of p6 extends further beyond the longest tertials than seen on most argentatus adding to the long-winged appearance of this species. P9 and p10 are not yet fully grown thus p8 is the longest primary at present

This Yellow-legged Gull has fine needle-thin winter streaks in head centered especially around the eyes, heavy bill with strong colours and red gonys spot reaching lower edge of upper mandible, red orbital ring and warm yellowish iris, strong head profile, yellow legs, slender and long-winged appearance with elongated body profile. There is a black band crossing p5. P9 and p10 are not fully grown

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 4cy+, 20.10.2010, Lakolk Strand, Rømø

2010-10-23T11:53:00.003+02:00

This big male-type Caspian Gull has almost complete white summer head and the small darkish eye is situated closer to the flat forehead than in argentatus. The bill is without pronounced gonys angle.

Most likely a 4th winter individual due to black marking in primary coverts, relative large dark spot on upper mandible, and reminisces of classic winter neck-boa this late in season, where adults are typically in complete summer plumage by now.

It is standing right behind the one with stretched wings in the left half of the photo

Preening in the middle of the photo. Just visible in this photo is the black marking on outer edge of p4, a massive black band on p5 and generally small white apical spots on primaries

It has a good cachinnans jizz with high push up breast, flat belly slightly dropped behind legs and long elongated slim rear. Additionally the upperparts are slightly darker than nearby argentatus

In the stretched wing the grey tongues on the outer primaries are obvious when seen from underneath and the black on primaries creates a classic cachinnans boomerang. The white apical spots are all relative small

Most likely a 4th winter individual due to black marking in primary coverts

Most likely a 4th winter individual due to relative large dark spot on upper mandible and reminisces of classic winter neck-boa this late in season, where adults are typically in complete summer plumage by now

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad, 20.10.2010, Lakolk Strand, Rømø

2010-10-23T11:36:00.004+02:00

It has a good cachinnans jizz with high push up breast, flat belly slightly dropped behind legs. Additionally the upperparts are slightly darker than on nearby argentatus

The bill is relative long and without pronounced gonys angle. On the yawning gull the bare part colour in the opened bill was spot on for cachinnans being orangey-yellow at the base of the mandibles where the skin colour in michahellis is typical blood red and light pink in argentatus

The longer tibia compared to argentatus is quite distinctive

The small eye is situated more frontal because of the flatter forehead than in argentatus and the eye colour is relative dark with a slight green peppering in the iris – most easily seen when light hits the eye directly - and when seen at some distance it stands out as being dark in contrast to argentatus. There is a thin red orbital ring seen at close range

In the stretched wing the grey tongues on the outer primaries are obvious when seen from underneath and the black on primaries creates a classic cachinnans boomerang. On p5 there is a broad black band and the white apical spots are all relative small

It is the one with stretched wings standing in the left half of the photo. The distinctive black feather shafts on the outer primaries in the upperwing are commonly seen in adult cachinnans. There is another 4cy Caspian Gull standing to the right with white summer head, thick neck and strong head profile, possible male

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), ad, 20.10.2010, Lakolk Strand, Rømø

2010-10-23T11:05:00.001+02:00

This Caspian Gull has almost complete white summer head and the small darkish eye is situated closer to the flat forehead than in argentatus. The bill is relative long and without pronounced gonys angle, best seen in the video. It has a good cachinnans jizz with small head, high push up breast and flat back.

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus), 5cy, 14.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-10-23T09:46:00.011+02:00

This Mediterranean Gull has been a returning individual since 2007 when it was first seen as a 2cy in Aarhus Harbor. Photos from its previous winter visits are here from when it was a 2cy, 3cy, 4cy (Spring 2009) and 4cy (Autumn 2009).

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), 1cy, 6.10.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-10-06T20:39:00.004+02:00

This is apparently the third 1cy Yellow-legged Gull in Aarhus this autumn which makes it quite a spectacular season. Judged on plumage and proportions it is different from the first and the second.

All scapulars and mantle feathers are moulted to second generation, all tertials are still juvenile, some lesser coverts and also few inner median covert are second generation

Note the rather worn white tertial fringes, the white primary tips start to turn brownish

Note the "apical spots" on p2-p4, in comparison to 1cy Caspian Gulls

The under-wings are dark showing a typical fine dark marked pattern

Note the typical tapering solid black tail-band; the rectrices are clearly white from the top of the tail-band till the base of these feathers with only a few dark spots

Common Gull (Larus canus): 2cy plumage variation in February in Norway

2010-09-26T18:54:00.024+02:00

In February 2010 I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Stavanger, Norway and the most promising gull spot was the partly frozen lake at Breidavatn in central city. A large number of Common Gulls were seen on each visit and their variability in moult progression was striking.

The plumage variation in Stavanger was surprising seen from a Danish point of view as we only occasionally find Common Gulls with retained juvenile mantel and scapulars in late winter.

In Denmark most individuals have completed their first winter moult by February whereas gulls that had retained an extensive amount of juvenile upperpart coverts seemed predominant among the Stavanger gulls, with some even being in complete juvenile plumage. Such “retarded” individuals either belong to northern late breeding populations or they might be eastern ssp. heinei.

Features that suite ssp. heinei in few of the individuals are without being diagnostic:

1) long-winged appearance where the very long and slender wings are held slightly dropped on standing gull. On folded wing p5 is obviously exposed behind the longest tertials in a degree rarely mirrored by any canus and p10 is the longest primary
2) retarded moult in February with massive presence of juvenile upperpart feathers which is only seen on northern canus breeders
3) heavy markings and barring on hind neck, breast and along flanks where canus often has finer markings and a more striated patterns without the washed out appearance of some of these gulls
4) less marked underwing coverts than in canus
5) more contrast in upper wing than on typical canus with lesser upperwing coverts darker brown than in canus and greater upperwing coverts darker brownish-tinged with weak dark subterminal spot and gradually darker towards outer coverts (most obvious in flight)

But when talking about ssp. heinei one has to acknowledge that such identification would be highly speculative without biometrics.

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 3 photos (#01)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#02)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 4 photos (#03)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#04)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 3 photos (#05)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#06)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#07)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 11.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#08)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 4 photos (#09)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#10)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#11)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#12)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photos (#13)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 11.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 10 photos (#14)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 3 photos (#15)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#16)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#17)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#18)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 3 photos (#19)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#20)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#21)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#22)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#23)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#24)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 9.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#25)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photo (#26)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#27)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#28)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#29)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#30)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#31)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#32)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#33)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#34)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 10.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 1 photo (#35)

Common Gull (Larus canus), 2cy, 11.2.2010, Breidavatn, Stavanger (Norway), 2 photo (#36)

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), 1cy, 17.9.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-17T23:25:00.000+02:00

This Yellow-legged Gull was seen flying in the central part of Aarhus Harbor for less than a minute before it flew off again towards east. Judged on plumage and proportions it’s clearly a new bird in the area and therefore not the same individual as seen last week.

This gull is smaller and more compact in general appearance, has stubbier bill and more heavily marked body feathers, fresher wing coverts with less wear. Unfortunately it was not seen standing or swimming, but judging from the photos both mantel and scapulars have been renewed, and the primary window is much darker than in same age argentatus Herring Gull.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), 10cy+, 17.9.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-17T21:57:00.001+02:00

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

2010-09-16T11:41:00.007+02:00

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 29.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 29.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 29.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 30.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 29.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 29.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 1.8.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 30.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 29.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 1.8.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 1.8.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 1.8.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 1.8.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea), ad, 1.8.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 3cy+, Hurghada, Egypt

2010-09-16T10:18:00.002+02:00

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 3cy+, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 3cy+, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 1cy, Hurghada, Egypt

2010-09-16T10:09:00.002+02:00

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 1cy, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 2cy, Hurghada, Egypt

2010-09-16T10:04:00.003+02:00

Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii), 2cy, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 3cy+, Hurghada, Egypt

2010-09-16T09:25:00.003+02:00

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 3cy, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt. Possible 3rd winter due to duller than adult bare part colours and a few brownish-tinged coverts in upperparts

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 3k+, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 2cy, Hurghada, Egypt

2010-09-16T08:53:00.002+02:00

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 2cy, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

White-eyed Gull (Larus leucophthalmus), 2cy, 3.11.2008, Hurghada, Egypt

Sooty Gull - Larus hemprichii - Sodfarvet Måge

2010-09-15T16:03:00.006+02:00

Age Class:

Sooty Gull, 1cy, Hurghada, Egypt

Sooty Gull, 2cy, Hurghada, Egypt

Sooty Gull, 3cy+, Hurghada, Egypt

White-eyed Gull - Larus leucophthalmus - Rødehavsmåge

2010-09-15T16:02:00.003+02:00

Age Class:

White-eyed Gull 2cy Hurghada, Egypt

White-eyed Gull 3k+ Hurghada, Egypt

Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla - Lattermåge

2010-09-15T16:01:00.002+02:00

Age Class:

Slender-billed Gull - Chroicocephalus genei - Tyndnæbbet Måge

2010-09-15T15:55:00.002+02:00

Age Class:

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with extensive dusky head-streaking

2010-09-14T13:14:00.001+02:00

Common Gull (Larus canus) with extensive dusky head-streaking

2010-09-14T13:02:00.000+02:00

Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus), 2cy, 14.6.2009, Kuhmo, Oulu Province, Finland

2010-09-14T11:44:00.000+02:00

1st-summer Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus).

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus), 5cy, 28.7.2008, Scoresby Sund, East Greenland

2010-09-13T19:42:00.008+02:00

This Glaucous Gull is aged as being a possible forth summer based the combination of almost complete adult colourations besides a slight immature wash to some wing coverts and the unshed outer primaries. Bare parts have adult-like colours like the renewed feathers and coverts whereas the unshed outer primaries and some retained wing coverts have a brownish wash to it. The gull could also be an adult where coverts and primaries have changed colour due to wear and being sun bleached.

Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus), ad, 13.6.2009, Kuhmo, Oulu Province, Finland

2010-09-13T11:32:00.002+02:00

Pallas's Gull - Larus ichthyaetus - Stor Sorthovedet Måge

2010-09-13T10:40:00.001+02:00

Individual observations:

Pallas's Gull, 1cy, 10.10.1993, Blåvandshuk, Blåvand

Sabine's Gull - Larus sabini - Sabinemåge

2010-09-13T09:56:00.002+02:00

Individual observations:

Sabine's Gull, ad, 30.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans), 1cy, 12.9.2010, Norsminde Fjord

2010-09-12T18:43:00.018+02:00

This 1cy Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) represents the first record in Norsminde Fjord.

At this age and at this time of year Caspian Gull is rather easy to recognize, especially individuals with characteristic proportions and plumage as this one. The head has turned almost white, contrasting with the boa of streaks in the lower neck. Also note the long, thin black bill, flat forehead, long neck, long wings, and dark tertials with broad white tips. The tail bar is broad, underwings are rather unmarked and white, upperwing has distinct secondary bar in contrast to coverts and restricted primary window.

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), 1cy, 10.9.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-10T23:52:00.004+02:00

This is the first Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) in Aarhus Harbor this summer, but the autumn will probably bring a few adults as usual, but 1cy individuals are quite rare with less than a handful of records in total. Thus in local east Jutland perspective the species is quite scarce and the bird today even belongs to a rare age class.

Note the "apical spots" on p2-p4, in comparison to 1cy Caspian Gulls

Note especially in the video hove fare the primaries project beyond tail compared to same aged argentatus and please also note that the exposed primaries are jet black whereas argentatus has a more brownish wash to it.

The juvenile plumage is quite worn and the moult is rather progressed compared to same aged argentatus with most of the mantle, lower scapulars and even a few wing coverts being renewed. Such advancement in moult is a classical michahellis feature.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), 10cy+, 8.9.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-10T22:32:00.007+02:00

Putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii). It is the first of the two graellsii recorded so fare in Aarhus Harbor this summer and there is photos from its first day here.

Judged only on upper part colors we cannot safely dismiss an intergrade between intermedius and graellsii, but it is much paler than a classical Danish breeding intermedius.

It’s at least a 10th calendar year bird as it has been recorded annually in Aarhus Harbor since 2004 when it was in adult plumage, it's present annually from late summer until late autumn. There is an unread metal ring on its right tarsus and the legs are at maximum only slight yellowish in contrast to other adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls present making it easily identifiable from year to year.

Note that the putative Larus fuscus graellsii is in the upper left corner whereas an adult black-backed intermedius is in the right hand side.

Sabine's Gull (Larus sabini), ad, 30.7.2008, Station Nord, Northeast Greenland

2010-09-04T10:32:00.002+02:00

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), ad, 1.9.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-01T23:01:00.005+02:00

Putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii). This individual was first seen few days ago in Aarhus Harbor (judged from the primary moult stage and some specific wear on tertials and the longest primaries).

Judged only on upper part colors we cannot safely dismiss an intergrade between intermedius and graellsii, but it is much paler than a classical Danish breeding intermedius.

Note hove the upperparts changes colour according to the light situation

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), ad, 27.8.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-01T22:29:00.003+02:00

Putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii). This individual is the second graellsii in Aarhus Harbor today and also the second individual this summer. The first is documented here.

Judged only on upper part colors we cannot safely dismiss an intergrade between intermedius and graellsii, but it is much paler than a classical Danish breeding intermedius.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), 10cy+, 27.8.2010, Aarhus Harbor

2010-09-01T21:57:00.004+02:00

Putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii). It is the first of the two graellsii in Aarhus Harbor today and also the first this summer. Documentation of the second is here.

Judged only on upper part colors we cannot safely dismiss an intergrade between intermedius and graellsii, but it is much paler than a classical Danish breeding intermedius.

It’s at least a 10th calendar year bird as it has been recorded annually in Aarhus Harbor since 2004 when it was in adult plumage, it's present annually from late summer until late autumn. There is an unread metal ring on its right tarsus and the legs are at maximum only slight yellowish in contrast to other adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls present making it easily identifiable from year to year.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with colour aberrations or leucisme - 1cy

2010-09-01T00:17:00.008+02:00

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 1cy, 30.8.2010, Aarhus North Harbor

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 1cy, 30.8.2010, Aarhus Harbor

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) with aberrant colours or leucisme

2010-08-31T23:56:00.001+02:00

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), 22.7.2010, Følle Bund, Djursland