Large white headed Gulls - North East England. Caspian Gull Chris Gibbins

Transcription

1 Large white headed Gulls - North East England Caspian Gull Chris Gibbins

2 Species Covered The regular occurring species; European Herring Gull (Larus argenteus/argentatus) Great black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Lesser black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) The scarce species; Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) Kumlien s Gull (Larus glaucoides kumlieni) Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) The rare/very rare species; American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) Thayer s Gull (Larus thayeri)

3 European Herring Gull (Larus argenteus/argentatus) Split into Scandinavian and British Herring Gulls. Separating the two. Paler upperparts. More black in primaries than in argentatus (shown later).

4 1st winter European Herring Gull (Larus argenteus/argentatus) Typical bird! Scapulars variable, but usually with dark subterminal markings [2]. Dark head here, but head, hindneck, and under body become progressively paler through ware [2]. Bleaching to retained (about 96% of argenteus retain wing moult) juvenile wing coverts [3]. Oakleaf pattern to tertials, unlike Caspian and Yellow-legged Gull. 1st winter Herring Gull. Andrew Kinghorn

5 2nd winter European Herring Gull (Larus argenteus/argentatus) Broad white tip to the bill [2], if bill similar to 1st winter. Many 2nd winters with pale pink bill with black markings and paler tip [2]. Scapulars be similar to 1st winter, but with broader markings [2]. Some grey scapulars moulted in [2], creating mosaic of grey and 1st winter feathers. Broader white tips to tertials and primaries [2].

6 3rd and 4th winter European Herring Gull (Larus argenteus/argentatus) 3rd winter will have developed some greyish tertials amongst now much more mottled (ill defined) ones. Also some dark tail markings present, also some dark markings still present on bill [2]. 4th winter can be very similar to adult, but some with smaller white tips to the primaries and bill with extensive dark markings [2].

7 Adult Herring Gull of argentatus Note the lack of black in the primaries, fairly restricted (compare Yellow-legged Gull below). Yellow-legged Gull primaries. Mark Newsome Argentatus Herring Gull. Chris Gibbins

8 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) The worlds largest gull species. A British breeder and wintering birds, though in some locations only a wintering species. Can recall a large Caspian Gull in 1st winter plumage, so be wary! Very common and widespread winter visitor, a visit to the coast will normally produce this species and Herring Gull without fail!

9 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Darker grey Upperpart feathers, contrast against the frosty edged lesser and median coverts [2]. Fairly white headed at this age, but with thick set heavy bill, nearly always noticeable with ease in the field [2]. Pink legs

10 2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) A variable age, some start to attain adult type upperpart feathers and coverts [2]. Bill can be like that of a Glaucous, but deeper, with pink fleshy base and black band toward end of bill, but with a broad white tip [2]. Primaries blacker at this age with more rounded white tips [2].

11 3rd winter Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Brownish lesser and greater coverts, with slight pale barring [2]. Tertials with brownish tinged edges and centres (to some) [2].

12 Adult/4th winter Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Lots of white in the wing in flight in adult. Blackish mantle and wing coverts, lacking any sort of brown coverts on younger ages. Black cast to primaries when viewed from underneath can be striking at times.

13 Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii) Becoming a more regular wintering feature. Wintering from northern France down to West Africa [2]. A common and fairly widespread gull in Northern England from spring onward through to autumn, though scarce in the winter (especially in Northumberland).

14 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii) Lesser black-backed Gull Mick Southcott Contrast between coverts and scapulars [2]. Dark eye mask retained throughout the winter, though head can get whiter as winter goes on [2]. Pale tips to the tertials can all but disappear with wear over the winter [2], so be wary. Long primaries compared to YLG and HG [2].

15 2nd winter Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii) Lesser black-backed Gull Mick Southcott Mantle, scapulars and median coverts, and inner tertials dark, contrasting against otherwise brown feathers [2]. Head, breast and flanks with dark markings [2]. Extensive dark tail present still present at this age, creating contrast between white tail [2].

16 3rd winter and adult Lesser Blackbacked Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii) 3rd winter much like adult, but with duller bill, which has solid dark markings, more extensive head markings, and some wing coverts can have brown tinge [2]. Adult with dark upperparts, often bright yellow legs (duller in winter), and long primaries.

17 Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Care should be taken in identification. Pitfalls in the form of argentatus with yellow legs. Lesser x Herring Gull hybrids not particularly rare, and variable! Still very much so a rare gull in the NE of England, though potentially overlooked.

18 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Yellow-legged Gull Mick Southcott Grey mantle feathers with heavy dark centres [2]. Solid dark mask. Strongly hooked black bill [2]. Some birds do renew coverts, unlike Herring Gull [2]. Dark centred tertials with faint white fringe. Overall very white on head.

19 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Faint inner primary window (compare Herring Gull of same age). Solid black tail band, contrasts against an otherwise very white tail [2]. Tailband can look framed in white when spread. Yellow-legged Gull Mick Southcott

20 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Yellow-legged Gull Mick Southcott Next generation tertials, a mixture, with brown centred feathers with broader white fringes and top tertials being grey. Large variation at this age (as Caspian and Herring). Coverts now a mixture of vermiculated and dark grey feathers. Legs start to attain a more yellow tinge [2].

21 Yellow-legged Gull Mick Southcott 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Grey saddle contrasts well with the otherwise brown wings [2]. White rump contrasting with black tail band. Inner primary window paler on this bird, which is more similar to Herring Gull [2]. So be cautious! Lacks the white mirror on P10, this is often present in Caspian Gull on the same age.

22 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Yellow-legged Gull Mick Southcott Similar to adult. More extensive dark markings on the bill than an adult would show [2]. Dark markings on the tertials, indistinct primary tips. Legs start to get their yellowish tinge that give the species their namesake.

23 Adult Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) On folded wing four, five, or sometimes six white primary tips visible beyond closed tertials. A square headed appearance. With red orbital eye ring. Yellow-legged Gull Mark Newsome Darker mantle than argenteus and argentatus Herring Gull, though care should be taken.

24 Adult Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Yellow-legged Gull Mark Newsome Broad back bang on P5 very obvious. Important. Overall, there is more black than white in the wing, whereas the opposite is true of many argentatus.

25 Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) Distinctive gull in most plumages. Split from argentatus in 2003 by the BOURC [2]. Overall structure Generally a long slim species, with long wings. Some cachinnans have a bulging underbody and breast, creating a distinctive standing posture. Long parallel sided bill, often also appearing to be long legged. However both of these are variable.

26 1st winter Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) Long bill evident here, though variable. White head creating a sharp contrast against the greyish neck shawl. Solidly dark tertials, often with only a thin white edge. Caspian Gull Istanbul Chris Gibbins 1st winter Dark centred scapulars contrasting with wing coverts. Often uniformly brownish wing coverts (as seen here).

27 1st winter Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) Seaton Common, Durham (Cleveland) Mark Newsome Solidly dark tail band contrasting with white-ish rump. Faint pale window on the inner primaries. Dark base to the greater coverts. Dark secondaries. Contrastingly white head, again this contrasts with the grey neck shawl. Note also the distinctive solidly dark centred grey scapulars and the contrast this makes, even in flight! 1st winter

28 Would you pick it out? Seaton Common, Durham (Cleveland) Mark Newsome Compare to the 2nd winter Herring Gull to this birds right; Long parallel sided bill. Small dark isolated eye. Dark neck shawl contrasting with the white head. Very white underbody. Solidly darked scapulars created a dotted like effect.

29 2nd winter Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) White head, with small beady eye, long parallel sided bill, lacking obvious gonys angle. Far more advanced look at this age than 1st winter. Neck shawl still obvious. Scapulars with many grey feathers (compare 1st winter) [2]. Caspian Gull Mick Southcott

30 2nd winter Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) Gray saddle contrasts against the often beautifully white rump [2]. Caspian Gull Mick Southcott This bird with a very white head with large long strong bill. White mirror on P10, unlike Yellow-legged Gull of this age.

31 3rd winter Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) Caspian Gull Chris Gibbins Duller bill than that of an adult bird [2]. Parts of upperwing still with brownish markings to coverts [2]. Tertials with dark centres [2]. Primaries with narrow white tips [2]. Tail with some faint dark markings [2].

32 Adult Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) High peaked rear crown but with dome shaped head. Long, parallel sided bill. Lacking obvious gonys angle. Dark iris. Dark mantle shade. Large white P10 mirror visible on underside of primaries. Caspian Gull Chris Gibbins Full chested appearance.

33 Adult Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) Caspian Gull Chris Gibbins Large white mirror on P10. Long grey tongues eating into primaries, more prevalent on mid primaries. Large white mirror on P9.

34 Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) One of the two commonly referred two white wingers. Do not breed on Iceland, despite their name! Breeds on Greenland. Smaller of the two white wingers: Nearly all are smaller than Glaucous Gull, with small rounded head and larger eyes [2]; Totally white primaries with only a faint wash of pale brown over all primaries, unlike kumliemi; Generally less heavy bill than Glaucous Gull; Primaries extend well beyond the tail tip, unlike Glaucous Gull where they fall just beyond the tail; Can recall in proportions a massive Common Gull!

35 juvenile Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) Totally white primaries, but with a faint brownish cast over some of the primaries normal. Pale based bill with ill defined black tip. Iceland Gull Amble, Northumberland Andrew Kinghorn

36 juvenile Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) Iceland Gull Andrew Kinghorn Small rounded head, with weak bill (compare Glaucous). Nice legs! (pink). Pure white appearance of primaries. Note the overall cute look compared to Glaucous Gull.

37 2nd winter Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) Variable! 2nd winter Iceland Gull Ireland - Mick Southcott More unevenly patterned [2]. Some show grey in scapulars and these contrast with brownish coverts [2]. Bill becoming similar to that of Glaucous Gull [2] (dipped-in-ink), with pale pink base and black tip.

38 3rd winter Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) Iceland Gull Rainton Meadows DWT Andrew Kinghorn Very adult like at this age, with hints of immaturity. Note the brownish wash to the coverts, showing signs of immaturity [2]. Solid dark markings to the bill, also typical of 3rd winter [2]. Also note the hint of dark markings on some lower tertials.

39 Adult Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) Plumage identical to Glaucous Gull [2] of this age. But structure very different! Shorter more delicate look to the head and bill, very unlike Glaucous Gull. Iceland Gull Hartlepool Headland Andrew Kinghorn

40 Kumlien s Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) A bit of a mystery gull regards with regards to origin! No one really sure what they are. Type of gull with massive amounts of variable grey in the primaries. Some gulls even with more black coloured primaries observed in New Foundland, which can be a pitfall when separating from Thayer s Gull.

41 Kumlien s Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) origin? It is now largely regarded that this ssp is a hybrid between Iceland and Thayer s Gulls, and that the resulting birds (Kumlien s Gull) are now breeding with each other on Baffin Island [2]. 3rd winter onwards birds show dark markings on 3 to 5 of outermost primaries [2].

42 Juvenile/1st winter Kumlien s Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) Majority moult part of mantle and scapulars in 1st winter (rare in Iceland Gull) [2], these are grey with anchor like markings. Kumlien s Gull West Sussex Mick Southcott Dark markings on outer primaries, along the outer webs, bleeding onto inner webs to create a j like shape.

43 2nd winter Kumlien s Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) Wing top pattern like that of adult, but with more extensive brown markings [2]. Bicolour bill, unlike most typical 1st winter/juvenile Kumlien s Gulls [2]. Primaries often darker than tertials (as here) [2]. Eyes often dark, this is much rarer on 2nd winter aged Iceland [2]. Kumlien s Gull Dover Mick Southcott Grey in saddle has now come through on this age, but variable, some birds have grey based feathers with dark internal markings.

44 3rd winter Kumlien s Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) Typical birds show brownish/grey striped pattern on outer wing [2], this is due to the contrast between the dark outer webs and the pale inner webs of the outer primaries. Grey bar on tail, creating contrast with white rump [2]. Upperwing still with brownish tinged markings, on account of lesser and great coverts having mottled pattern. Kumlien s Gull Hartlepool Andrew Kinghorn

45 Adult Kumlien s Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) Kumlien s Gull Newfoundland Chris Gibbins P10 P9 P8 P7 P6 Adults show a varying amount of grey on up to 5 outer primaries [2]. Upperparts paler than in Thayer s Gull, and wingtip pattern only rarely appears darker [2]. Birds with darker markings reaching P5 are best left unidentified [2].

46 Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) The other of the two commonly referred two white wingers. Larger of the two white wingers: Nearly all are larger than Iceland Gull, with large looking heads and powerful bills; Totally white primaries as in Iceland and Kumlien s Gull; Primaries extend just beyond the tail tip, unlike Iceland Gull where they fall well beyond the tail tip; Big brutish birds, more reminiscent of Great blackbacked Gull than Iceland Gull in structure.

47 Juvenile Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) Variation in juvenile plumage. Some even appearing very white [2]. White primaries, falling just beyond the tail. Bi-coloured bill with pink base and dipped in ink dark tip. Glaucous Gull North Uist, Outer Hebrides Andrew Kinghorn Milky coffee coloured bird.

48 Juvenile Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) Almost translucent effect to primaries and tail against background. Bi-coloured bill with the typical dipped in ink bill tip. Glaucous Gull Hartlepool Headland Andrew Kinghorn

49 2nd winter Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) Glaucous Gull Hartlepool Headland Harry Murphy Often a much better marked head [2]. Eye bicoloured (as here) opposed to dark like in juvenile [2]. Some greyish feathers having moulted through.

50 3rd winter Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) Upperparts and a lot of coverts are now grey at this age [2]. Some coverts browner with paler edges [2]. Tertials grey with some narrow white edges [2]. Eye is now pale [2]. Bill fleshy, with dark subterminal band [2]. Glaucous Gull Dungeness, Kent Mick Southcott

51 Adult Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) Pure white primaries, creating contrast against the darker grey upperparts. This bird has some extensive winter head streaking. Glaucous Gull Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom Ron Knight

52 The Rare and Very Rare Large White Headed Gulls Covering only some select plumages, mainly plumages that have occurred previously in the UK.

53 American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) Moult timing are similar to that of argentatus/argenteus, and so are of little value in a European context [1]. Overall structure Smithsonianus (smiths) are heavier built than an average argenteus, built far more like argentatus [1]. Many smiths have parallel sided bills.

54 1st winter American Herring Gull Around 90% of records consist of this plumage in a European context [1]. Bill appearing like that of a Glaucous Gull; pink with dark tip. White head contrasting with uniformly marked underparts [1]. Densely barred undertail coverts [1]. American Herring Gull Campbeltown Harbour, Argyll Eddie Maguire Dark base to greater coverts [1]. Tertial pattern more like argenteus than argentatus [1].

55 1st winter American Herring Gull contd. Densely barred upper rump contrasting with the tail band. Solidly dark upper tail surface. Pale barring or vermiculation on the bases to the inner webs of the outer rectrices [1]. American Herring Gull Campbeltown Harbour, Argyll Eddie Maguire Few American Herring Gulls actually do exhibit an all dark tail, an all dark tail has also been observed in European Herring Gulls. However, Many smithsonianus have an extent of dark on the tail that is very rarely matched by European Herring [1].

56 Glaucous-winged Gull (larus glaucescens) Another very rare bird, with two UK records, one from Teesside, and one that toured Wales and Southern England. Large and obvious gull in adult plumage, relatively easy to identify. Very obvious grey primaries, with a dark eye the only gull to show grey this extensive. Only other confusion would be hybrid birds. Glaucous-winged Gull California Chris Gibbins

57 Slaty-backed Gull (larus schistisagus) A very rare bird in the UK and Western Palaearctic. Only a handful of records, most notable birds being Latvia, Iceland, Ireland, and a pending British record. Only adult covered in this talk, please see literature for other ages.

58 Adult Slaty-backed Gull (larus schistisagus) Slaty-backed Gull Latvia Chris Gibbins Slaty grey upperparts [2]. Broad white tertial crescent, melts into secondaries [2]. Legs often described as bubblegum pink [2]. In flight a distinctive gull, with the broad white secondaries evident, white string of pearls on the outer primaries, string of pearls can be incomplete, P8 frequently lacks a mirror.

59 Adult Slaty-backed Gull (larus schistisagus) In flight a distinctive gull, with the broad white secondaries evident, white string of pearls on the outer primaries, string of pearls can be incomplete, P8 frequently lacks a mirror [2]. Slaty-backed Gull Latvia Chris Gibbins Slaty-backed Gull Latvia Chris Gibbins

60 Thayer s Gull (Larus thayeri) Another rare bird in the UK and western palearctic. Currently no accepted records, all at BOURC for consideration. Only juvenile covered in this talk, consider the literature for other ages.

61 Juvenile Thayer s Gull (larus thayeri) Most birds retain their juvenile plumage right through until April [2]. Rather uniformly velvety on head and under body [2]. Juvenile mantle, scapulars, and tertials [2]. Tertial centres are same colour as the upperparts [2]. Bill largely black, with paler base from midwinter [2]. Thayer s Gull Canada Chris Gibbins

62 References [1] - Pat Lonergan, Killian Mullarney. (2004). Identification of American Herring Gull in a western European context. Dutch Birding. 26 (N/A), [2] - Olsen, K.M., Larsson, L (2003). Gulls of Europe, Asia, and North America. London: Helm. [3] - GullReasearch.Org. (2011). Herring Gull 1cy September. Available: Last accessed 28 November 2014.