Glaucous-winged Gull (larus glaucescens) - Winter 2008/2009 - Memories

Sadly for me this was a bad memory, I dipped the bird. I won't go into it as it still hurts now! However for thoose who were fortunate enough to see this stunning larus here are some images to help you reminisce.

 (Glaucous-winged Gull - © Ian Forrest)

 (Glaucous-winged Gull - © Ian Forrest)

 (Glaucous-winged Gull - © Ian Forrest)

(Glaucous-winged Gull - © Ian Forrest)

Kumlien's Gull (larus glaucoides kumlieni) - Hartlepool Headland - February 2012

The following images were taken by Ian Forrest of the 3rd winter Kumlien's Gull that is wintering at Hartlepool Headland in Durham (Cleveland). Some small side notes have been added under some of the images with some comments, a real learning curve for me and a fantastically interesting and educational bird.

(Kumlien's Gull - © Ian Forrest)

Dark shadowing can be seen on the outer webs of P9, P8, and P7 of the outer primaries. 

 (Kumlien's Gull - © Ian Forrest)

Again the dark shadowing can be seen on the outer webs of P9, P8, and P7 of the outer primaries which contrast with the inner primaries. The backwards 'J' shape effect of the dark markings bleeding along the tip of  P9, P8, and P7 onto the inner web of these primaries can be seen here. However it is perhaps easier to see on the next image. Also the darker and more contrasting secondaries can be seen here on this bird,

(Kumlien's Gull - © Ian Forrest)

The dark shadowing on the primaries mentioned above can obviously be seen here. Outer primaries mentioned look particularly dark and contrasting in this image. The dark contrasting secondaries are again obvious here as is the remnants of what looks like a once broad tail band.

Sabine's Gull (larus sabini) - South Shields - 2010

The following photos are of a juvenile Sabine's Gull taken at South Shields in Durham, the bird wandered during its stay going from North Shields Fish Quay in Northumberland to South Shields in Durham. All photos are copyright of Stephen Egglestone and as always are grateful for allowing the blog to use his superb images of this Sabine's Gull.

 (Sabine's Gull - © Stephen Egglestone)

(Sabine's Gull - © Stephen Egglestone)

Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) - Sunderland - February 2012

All photos taken by Mark Newsome of an adult Iceland Gull at Roker Pier in County Durham. Many birds noted over here in recent weeks but today only the adult Iceland Gull was noted and it is thought other lingering birds have now moved on.

 (Iceland Gull - © Mark Newsome)

 (Iceland Gull - © Mark Newsome)

(Iceland Gull - © Mark Newsome)

Caspian Gull (larus cachinnans) - Seaton Common - January 2012

All photographs on this post unless otherwise stated are copyright of Mark Newsome and may not be reused unless permission is granted. The photos show a first-winter Caspian Gull at Seaton Common, Durham (Cleveland).

(Caspian Gull - © Mark Newsome)

The white head and underbody with barely any visible markings it obvious here, also note the shawl effect on the nape of this bird which then bleeds partly onto the birds mantle. The small beady eye is evident and a small dark mask is also present encircling they eye. The grey mantle feathers with dark centres are obvious in this photo and this feature is particularly useful to look out for when trying to pick out a first-winter Caspian Gull. Finally the long and obvious parallel sided bill is evident in this image; compare this to the bill on the (presumed 2nd winter?) Herring Gull behind the Caspian.

 (Caspian Gull - © Mark Newsome)

You can see that in flight it shows a white head with small dark eye, the shawl effect on the nape can be seen quite well in this high quality image. The axillaries look greyish/white, but this feature is very variable in Caspian Gull and some can show brownish axillaries. 

(Caspian Gull - © Mark Newsome)

Compare to the above image and it can be seen how a birds axillaries can change in the field depending upon lighting conditions. But note the very white head, with black beady eye set far forward in the head and the shawl like pattern on the birds neck extending down onto top of mantle.

(Caspian Gull - © Mark Newsome)

You can clearly see the broad and solidly black terminal band on the tail contrasting with the fairly sparsely marked rump/uppertail coverts. Nice contrast between the secondaries and the much paler coverts which creates clear cut black and brown areas on the birds upperwing.  Also you can see the grey mantle and scapular feathers with dark centres creating a fairly distinctive appearance. Overall first-winter Caspian Gulls are usually four coloured; white, brown, black, and grey. This is particularly evident when a bird is on the deck, compare this to Herring Gulls which can often look less well defined and don't usually show such a sharp contrast throughout the whole plumage at this age.

Herring Gull (larus argentatus/argenteus) - Rainton Meadows DWT - February 2012

The photo of the below bird really did make it stand out from the crowd when I observed it in the field around about a week ago, what struck me immediately when I picked the bird up was the very bulky size and almost raised forehead. So is it argenteus or argentatus?

(Herring Gull - © John Bridges)

Looking at this bird standing on the ice its clearly fairly large and bulky, a very deep chested appearance, a lot of white in still visible in the primaries even at rest, the mantle is fairly dark (compare to larus argenteus to the right), I therefore conclude this bird to be an argentatus. Overall the bulk and jizz of the bird are reminiscent to me of a mini Glaucous Gull. What does strike me as a bit odd is the inner greater coverts look like they have a dark shade to them, I have images of the same bird as I was there the time the photograph was taken and this dark shade is still present. Perhaps the bird has been a little oiled in that section of the wing? 

I think Herring Gull is a very overlooked bird and I believe are deeply interesting birds and great to study the variation in the field when not many other 'interesting' Gulls are around.

Iceland Gull (larus glaucoides) - South Sheilds - February 2012

The following photos (unless otherwise stated) are all taken and kindly supplied by Stephen Egglestone.  The following photos were taken at Marine Park in South Shields on Monday (13th) and are of an 4th winter Iceland Gull. The bird appears largely in adult like plumage, however Mark Newsome pointed out that I had failed to realise the dark subterminal band on the bill. This feature puts the bird as a 4th winter rather than an adult. South Shields lies in the recording area of Durham and was made famous in birding terms recently by the occurrence of the UK's first Eastern Crowned Warbler.

(Iceland Gull - © Stephen Egglestone) 

A bird like this can usually leave little doubt on identity, typical size for Iceland Gull; being relatively the same size as surrounding Herring Gulls. All white plumage very evident in a bird like this from both above and below.

 (Iceland Gull - © Stephen Egglestone) 

Mind your step! Showing the translucent effect of secondaries and both inner and outer primaries, clear lack of any grey shading eliminates the possibility of 'standard' Kumlien's Gull. 

(Iceland Gull - © Stephen Egglestone) 

Bit of a stunner or what? Pure white primaries, greenish tinge to bill, small eye creating a 'cute' look rather than 'rough and ready' which is usually more typical of Glaucous Gull. This bird is a classic Iceland Gull in every way. 

Stephen Egglestone's (Steve) personal blog can be found HERE.

Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) - Hartlepool Headland - February 2012 - John Bridges

Here are some imaged far better than my own of one of two Glaucous Gulls (larus hyperboreus) present at Hartlepool Headland in Durham (Cleveland) at the present time. I cannot say I have definitely seen both birds as my images seem to indicate I have only seen the same bird on many occasions. I think first-winter Glaucous Gulls like this individual are smart birds and always superbly marked.

(Glaucous Gull - © John Bridges)

A smartly marked bird, size can vary but most approach the size of Great Black-backed Gulls and some may even be larger (or appear to be). The fairly short primary projection is evident and obvious on this perched bird, coupled with the large bill and size this bird should cause little problem for anyone in the field. 

(Glaucous Gull - © John Bridges)

Nice almost translucent wing effect often evident from both above and below, often creates a sharp contrast between primaries/secondaries and rest of upperparts. 

(Glaucous Gull - © John Bridges)

A nice shot showing the creamy brown underparts, bicoloured bill, and fairly densely barred undertail covets. 

Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus) - Hartlepool Headland - February 2012

The following photos taken over 2 Saturdays in early-mid February, they show a 1st winter Glaucous Gull (larus hyperboreus)

 (Glaucous Gull - 1st winter - © Andrew Kinghorn)

 (Glaucous Gull - 1st winter - © Andrew Kinghorn)

 (Glaucous Gull - 1st winter - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Glaucous Gull - 1st winter - © Andrew Kinghorn)