Thursday 11 December 2014

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

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped in Grenaa Harbour on Djursland in Denmark on 14 February 2013. I use the word "presumed" because one can never be sure of the exact lineage of a hybrid without having direct information on the parents.

It attracted my attention because of its dark-grey plumage which was much darker than the European Herring Gulls but at the same time much lighter than the intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull we normally see (rare in winter) and even paler tan the odd graellsii-types that we more rarely see than intermedius . The graellsii-type is also rare in winter.

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 lighter than Lesser Black-backed Gulls, it showed distinct pink-tinged legs with pink feet, it appeared to have an argentatus-yellow orbital ring, a distinct black spots on outer web of primary P5, no black on P4 and P3, 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.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) at Fjellerup Strand

This presumed hybrid Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) x European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) was photograped at Fjellerup Strand on Djursland in Denmark on 18 December 2010. I use the word "presumed" because one can never be sure of the exact lineage of a hybrid without having direct information on the parents.

It attracted my attention because of its dark-grey plumage which was much darker than the European Herring Gulls but at the same time much lighter than the intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull we normally see (rare in winter) and even paler tan the odd graellsii-types that we more rarely see than intermedius . The graellsii-type is also rare in winter.

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 lighter than Lesser Black-backed Gulls, it showed distinct pink-tinged legs with pink feet, it appeared to have an argentatus-yellow orbital ring, no distinct black spots on primary P5, P4 and P3, 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 9 December 2014

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with reduced pigmentation seen in Feldballe

Some of these pale type Herring Gulls can recall birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as this individual lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull when it comes to the pattern on each feather, is is considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced or aberrant pigmentation.

It was seen on April 6, 2014.

Thursday 25 September 2014

First record of Kumlien's Gull in Germany

The German Rarity Committee Deutsche Seltenheitenkommission (DSK) has accepted one record of Kumlien’s Gull from the major influx in Europe during the winter 2011-2012.

The accepted bird was a 3cy individual seen 15.3-5.4.2012 in Salzgitter Heerte in Niedersachsen. Martin Gottschling has kindly allowed me to include his photos in this post.









Other photos can be found in these links: 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 5.4.2012, 24.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 22.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 17.3.2012, 15.3.2012, 15.3.2012, 15.3.2012 and 15.3.2012.

The swedish record of Kumlien's Gull from the 2012-influx

The Swedish Rarities Committee (Sveriges Ornitologiska Förenings Raritetskommittén) has accepted one records of Kumlien’s Gull from the major influx in Europe during the winter 2011-2012.

Details: 2012 18-24.1, 1 4 cy. Glommens hamn, Halland


Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.
Glommens hamn, Halland Sweden, 2012-01-19 (c) Mikael Nord.




See more photos here: 19.1.2012, 19.1.2012, 19.1.2012, 20.1.2012, 20.1.2012, 20.1.2012, 23.1.2012.

Monday 22 September 2014

Kumlien’s Gull in Norway during the record influx in 2012

The Norwegian Rarities Committee (NSKF) has recently accepted seven records of Kumlien’s Gull from the major influx during the winter 2011-2012. However, note that not all claims have yet been submitted and the actual number of Kumlien's Gull in Norway during the influx may thus be higher.

Photos of the seven accepted records can be found in the links below:


ØSTFOLD:

4K Utgårdskilen, Vesterøy, Hvaler 8.-12.2* (F) (R. G. Bosy mfl.).

See photos here: 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 10.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 11.2.2012, 12.2.2012, 12.2.2012, 12.2.2012, 12.2.2012 and 12.2.2012.



TELEMARK:

Ad. Langesund, Bamble 21.1-23.2* (F) (*Ø. W. Johannessen mfl.).

See photos here: 18.1.2012, 18.1.2012, 18.1.2012 and 21.1.2012.



ROGALAND:

4K Ølberg havn, Sola 24.-27.1* (F) (E. Ween mfl.).

See photo here: 24.1.2012.



SØR-TRØNDELAG:

4K Gaulosen og Buvika, Melhus og Skaun 14.-28.1* (F) (*T. Bollingmo mfl.).

See photos here: 14.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 22.1.2012, 22.1.2012, and 22.1.2012.



4K Nidarø, Trondheim 15.-28.1* (F) (O. Heggøy, A. Winnem mfl.).

See photos here: 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 15.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012, 18.1.2012, 18.1.2012, 22.1.2012, 23.1.2012 and 23.1.2012.



NORDLAND:

4K Glea, Røstlandet, Røst 16.1* (F) (S. Baines).

See photos here: 16.1.2012, 16.1.2012 and 16.1.2012.



4K Glea, Røstlandet, Røst 6.2* (F) (S. Baines).

See photo from: 6.2.2012.

Monday 15 September 2014

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) with reduced pigmentation seen in Grenaa Harbour

Some of these pale type Herring Gulls can recall birds labelled as hybrid hyperboreus x argentatus (Viking Gull), but as this individual lacks a clear influence from Glaucous Gull when it comes to the pattern on each feather, is is considered to be European Herring Gulls with reduced or aberrant pigmentation.