| An unusual pale 1st Winter Herring Gull at Dorket Head in 2010 | ||
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| This pale 1st Winter gull was photographed near Dorket Head Tip near Nottingham on January 23rd, 2010. It's identity caused some discussion and of the comments recieved, the general concensus, was that this bird was probably just a very pale 1st Winter Herring Gull. Below are some of the longer comments I recieved regarding this bird. Names have been omitted from the corresponding comments. My thanks go to all who did provide constructive comments about this interesting gull. | ||
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| "Have seen about
5 birds like this over about 20 years. Almost certainly a
Herring Gull on structure and soft parts etc. I
personally think that a very small proportion of HG's
looks like this without being genetically much different
to the norm. Glaucous influence could be involved but I would imagine a hybrid to show some Glauc about the head which this (these) type don't tend to have. A bird very similar to this and perhaps a bit lighter built, was the culprit at Westwood Pool about 5 years ago. Now there are lots of good pics of juv Thayer's on the web it is easy to rule that possiblity out. If I saw that bird here now I would say Herring Gull" |
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| "My first
impression is that it is probably a pale Herring Gull and
most likely an argentatus. Juveniles of this ssp are
quite often pale like this and I have seen a quite a few
similar birds in the roost at Ogston over the
years. A few have been this pale, but most are
probably not quite as pale as this bird. It seems to
me to have the structure and overall jizz of a Herring
rather than that of a Nelson's Gull (Herring X
Glaucous) most photos of which that I have seen that have
been convincing have exhibited some more obvious Glaucous
like features." "It seems to be still in full juvenile plumage which is a bit unusual for most Herrings at this time of year most having replaced some of the upper mantle/scapulars with 1stW type feathers, though a few do not, and I would guess that most of these are probably from the more northerly breeding populations of argentatus. Interestingly a possible Herring X Glaucous Gull was reported at Foremark Reservoir on 18th Jan and I wonder if it could have been this bird?" |
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| "Interesting
gull - presume its size is about that of a Lesser
Black-backed and not as large as an average Herring
Gull. My initial impression pointed towards a
first-winter Kumlien's, the bill pattern looked
reasonable, its head-shape from the images seems to
lack the more typical rounded-head associated with
that of Iceland. It certain looks dark-flecked to
be a IW Iceland even a dark-flecked IW. Kumlien's in
IW are darker-flecked than Iceland. IW Kumlien's
sometimes show darker subterminal chevrons on
the pale-brown leading-primaries but there is much
variation. I'm also slightly concerned its not
a leucistic Herring Gull." "Its difficult to be precise about many of these paler gull that nowadays turn up more regularly. A pale Herring with dark-flecking is always problematic, the shape of certain characteristics along with bare parts definition are usually the most reliable way of eliminating others." |
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| "Of those I sent the gull, Herring or Herring X was suggested - with probably a Glaucous, although, I certainly would not accept the Glaucous introduction, from what you mentioned about its size the bird is not robust enough. Its plumage does not provide many clues to its id, but the GCs are open and Herring like, whereas, its outer pps look to have darker chevrons that would fit with Kumlien's, but its all subjective." | ||
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| "Having given
the photos you supplied the ‘AutoFix’ treatment
in Photoshop (which improves the contrast etc) and giving
the results a bit more of a grilling, I’d conclude
that a hybrid Glaucous x Herring is probably the answer,
especially if it was as large as the comparison with the
GBB suggests. In combination with this size implication, the bill-structure, variegation of tertials (and arguably scapulars), and perhaps level of paleness of primary-centres, go against the possibility of a ‘paler’ Thayer’s. Also, although it’s not possible to be sure from the photos, I suspect that the tail is also too variegated and lacks the more solid (if ‘muddy’) tailband which is typical of Thayer’s. So, the logical conclusion is Herring x Glaucous." |
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| "After having
another look at it, I can see why Kumliens is being
touted but I really think the primary patterning is too
strong although I havent seen many Kumliens at
close range. The bird does appear to be overall too dark for an Iceland and the general feel of the bird just isnt right for that sp. so I would eliminate that one. It also doesnt look right for a washed out/bleached Herring. I'll stick with my initial view of a hybrid, but await the outcome from those more in the know." |
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