Gull confusion.

[DaiTheDragon]

I am pretty sure non of these are Black-headed Gulls and I am sure one of the is a Mediteranian Gull. Any help please.

Dai

No 1

No 2

No 3

[Madelinew]

I'd say the first one is a Mediterranian but not sure about the others.

[Madelinew]

And now I'm not even sure about that having spotted the wing bars on a closer inspection

[Jenny W]

The first is a Black-headed, the other two are Mediterranean, the second of which is ringed - could be interesting if you can read the ring number....

[RoyW]

Med Gull for all three (2nd winter at the top, adult winter in the middle, and 1st winter).

[dunlin]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Med Gull for all three (2nd winter at the top, adult winter in the middle, and 1st winter).

I'd agree with roy all three med gulls.
I find gull identification difficult at the best of times, even with still images i find i have to keep refering to the book.
The trouble is there are so many variables with age, and season. I keep promising myself i should try to get to grips with them

regards mark....

[Picidae]

I agree all Med gulls - I say that if taken recently, ages are as follows:

1. 2nd Winter - note the clean 2nd generation coverts and mirrors on primaries
compare 1st winter here: Mediterranean Gull [The Norwegian Gull-page] with the plumage of the first pic. 3cy/2nd winter diagnostic wing pattern here: Mediterranean Gull - L. melanocephalus
2. Adult winter
3. looks like an advanced 1cy/1st Winter - (1st summer here Mediterranean Gull [The Norwegian Gull-page])
then 2nd winter
Mediterranean Gull [The Norwegian Gull-page]
This is a 2cy/1st winter plumage (after the May-Sept moult has finished )Mediterranean Gull - L. melanocephalus

Med gulls have 3 age groups, BHGs only two but as for aging, there's lots of individual variation largely relating to amount of dark on primaries and bill. I believe I may have added to the confusion - basically I'm agreeing with Roy!

[DaiTheDragon]

So let me see if I got this.
1 is 2nd Winter
2 is adult Winter
3 is between 1st summer and 1st Winter

So is this first winter


They were all taken yesterday at the same place. I like Gulls and am trying to learn more about them. I wonder how many Rare birds slip through the net as most people don't bother with them.

Thank you all very much for your help.

Dai

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by DaiTheDragon

So let me see if I got this.
1 is 2nd Winter
2 is adult Winter
3 is between 1st summer and 1st Winter

So is this first winter


They were all taken yesterday at the same place. I like Gulls and am trying to learn more about them. I wonder how many Rare birds slip through the net as most people don't bother with them.

Thank you all very much for your help.

Dai

Yes, that last image is a 1st winter- a more typical looking individual for this time of year, though gulls do vary in the speed of their moults. Last weekend I saw a Black-headed Gull in full breeding plumage!

Where did you photograph these birds?

[DaiTheDragon]

Thanks aeshna5. They were taken at Mumbles near Swanesa, S.Wales

Dai