Saturday 12 November 2011

Those gulls again, with pix

 Photos courtesy Morris Rendall
Photos courtesy Morris Rendall

This is the bird that it has been argued is a 2CY Iceland Gull. To my eye it looks more like a Glaucous except that the eye looks far too big. Any opinion would be welcomed.

Photos courtesy Gerry Cannon
 Photos courtesy Gerry Cannon
Photos courtesy Gerry Cannon

It was originally argued that this bird was not an Iceland Gull but might be a leucistic Herring Gull. General opinion now is that it is indeed an Iceland Gull but it continues to pose some interesting questions. The bill colour and dark eye would lead to the conclusion it is 1stCY but the plumage looks much more like 2nd CY. From Olsen and Larsson I found that 2CY Kumlien's can have an all dark bill. Could this bird be a 2nd CY Kumlien's, albiet a very pale one? The tibia and overall leg length looks long to my eye, is this a problem?

Here are a couple more pictures.

 Photos courtesy Morris Rendall
Photos courtesy Morris Rendall

Any opinions will be very gratefully received, some reasons for any ID would be handy, thanks.

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