Seagull Identifications

dbozkurt · #1 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 06:17 PM

Hi

I know seagulls aren't everybodies favourite bird but up here on the Hebrides they are not as pesty as in other areas. A couple of days ago someone wrote in and asked where to see black headed gulls, well I know they are everywhere down on the mainland but I saw my first one in Stornoway Harbour this year.

What I have decided, to keep me occupied during my working week when I don't get the time too do much birdwatching (or get down to the southern isles) but I can sometimes get out to the harbour, is to catologue and photograph all the seagulls and their age groups. I know someone else in the forum was going to do that but can't remember who it was. If they read this please let me know how you are getting on.

I have the rspb book of birds but have just treated myself to the Collins Bird Guide which shows me the plummage across the ages and season.

I have just decided to do this and the weather is rubbish for the next few days, never mind i'll work on my exsisting photos.

If anyone has any thoughts or a book that might help me even more, please let me know

Thanks Debs

Nicola Main · #2 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 06:39 PM

Sounds like a great idea Debs. I like gulls too and this sounds like the ideal hobby for helping to I.D. this great family of birds. I think the Collins Bird Guide is excellent as it shows practically all plumages for age and will probably be your best bet in identifying the different species. I have heard of one or two other gull books that might help you. The old Poyser one might be a bit outdated but you might find it useful. And the new gulls of Europe, Asia and North America has come out which is quite expensive but sounds good. Hope it works out, Nicola.

Oscar2006 · #3 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 06:59 PM

I hate gull watching,

It is usually far too cold to watch them coming in to their roosts on dark wintery afternoons, but I would still be interested in seeing your pictures!

wyevilla · #4 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 07:30 PM

Ah gulls...

I love the things and I always get a kick out of spotting an interloper in a flock.

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 07:31 PM

Debs, I'm very much a gull fan + would very much like seeing your photos. You may well end up photographing something really rare- the UK has recently had it's first Glaucous-winged Gull on a private site, which caused some consternation as most birders were unaware of it until it had disappeared!

You'll certainly see more Iceland + Glaucous Gulls than I do down in the south, whereas I'll see more Mediterranean + Little Gulls.

If you really get into gulls the Helm guide that Nicola refers to is a must- great photos + illustrations as well as meaty text.

Look forward to "Gull of the Day!"

dbozkurt · #6 (**permalink**) 14-02-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicola Main

Sounds like a great idea Debs. I like gulls too and this sounds like the ideal hobby for helping to I.D. this great family of birds. I think the Collins Bird Guide is excellent as it shows practically all plumages for age and will probably be your best bet in identifying the different species. I have heard of one or two other gull books that might help you. The old Poyser one might be a bit outdated but you might find it useful. And the new gulls of Europe, Asia and North America has come out which is quite expensive but sounds good. Hope it works out, Nicola.

Whoops my finger slipped on the Amazon website and I accidently bought the new gull book....it was expensive but hey don't go out much up here so its just the cost of one night out in London.

I will probably bore people with how I am doing. I have the Iceland Gull in my collection, prob. 1st winter as well as others so the next few days will be sorting out the photos I have and what they are. The good thing about the harbour here is the gulls are quite comfortable around people but do not trash the bins etc. as they have access to the fish and the fish boats etc. Its as if they are more natural instead of forced to life of human waste! I am down at my partners house on the Uist this weekend and I keep trying to find the lesser scaup that is mentioned on one of the lochs but I can't find it!

Speak soon Debs