Tuesday 27 October 2009

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 1cy, 25.10.2009, Rugård Nørresø, Djursland

Initially identified as a 1cy Yellow-legged Gull, but due to the rather short-winged impression, head and bill profile an argentatus Herring Gull is far more likely even though the tertials are spot on for michahellis.






Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) in Kalø Vig

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped at Egens Havhuse in Kalø Vig on 27 October 2009. It immediately attracted my attention because of its dark-grey upperparts which were much darker than on the nearby European Herring Gulls but at the same time the bird was not a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

The possibility of it being a hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull x European Herring Gull, seems to be the best fit because it was much darker grey compared to local Herring Gulls and it showed distinct pink-tinged legs, rather dark underside to primaries and a broad white trailing edge to secondaries as in Lesser Black-backed Gull and finally a Herring Gull JIZZ with short primary projection. In other words, it showed mixed characters of both species.





Tuesday 6 October 2009

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 7cy+, 2.10.2009, Kalø, Djursland

This leucistic and ringed argentatus with primary patterns and upperparts ghosting normal colorations has been seen on several occasions since 2006. It has been seen in Aarhus Harbour both 2006 and 2009 and on Djursland a few times, but always as an adult bird which makes it at least a 7cy+.








Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), 7cy+, 2.10.2009, Kalø, Djursland

Saturday 3 October 2009

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii), 9cy+, 2.10.2009, Aarhus East Harbor

Putative Western Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus graellsii)

It’s at least a ninth 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.




Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus), 3cy+, 26.9.2009 Aarhus North Harbor

Found by Rune Sø Neergaard (RSN).