Glaucous,Kumlien or Iceland Gull

[dbozkurt]

Sorry

This is going to be 1 of 3 posts, 2 IDs and a little story of my lunch time walk.

I went for a walk around the Harbour and there were about 30 to 40 gulls circling near the fishing boats. I got excited when I saw a white one, it was quite large, bigger I think than an Iceland Gull (see those lots around here). The only problem was it was windy, I had my hair down so had to hold it in my teeth to keep it out of the way and the gulls were swooping as fast as speed boats!!

I have 3 not good picture, one with a wing cut off, one with its head cut off and one whole but further away into the sun. Honestly you try and take them in those conditions, I nearly chocked on my hair and I have a lot of it and got blasted by a truck trying to back into the cargo bay!!

What do you think out there, narrowed it down to these 3 choses, it did seem quite large and aggressive, the Iceland gulls I have seen so far seem timid and loners. Maybe me wishfull thinking.







Debs

[Crested Newt]

I believe it is an Iceland Gull

[Adam Cheeseman]

Looks like a first winter Ike to me. Not too well up on Kumlien's, which is a race of Iceland Gull (depending on which authority you read). Doesn't look 'brutish' enough for a Glauc.

Cheers,

Adam

[James_Owen]

Looks a fairly certain soft-faced Iceland Gull, but that black-tipped bill and pale wing looks more 2nd year to me.

[dbozkurt]

It seemed too big for an Iceland, maybe there were a few birds and I missed the one I first saw...I nearly missed all the birds Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my behalf that I had found something different.....I will go back tomorrow and have another search!

Its quite difficult I bought the Gull book recommended by its very difficult to tell them apart.

Thanks Debs

[John]

I agree with Iceland. I'm no good at ageing Gulls but for me this bird isn't barrel chested enough to be a Glaucose plus the beak looks too short as well.


Don't forget Debs the Iceland Gull ranges from 52 to 60cm and that is a fair size difference if you have been looking at birds at the lower end of the scale then see one at the top end.


John

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi,

yes I'd agree with Iceland.It just doesn't look "fierce" enough for Glaucous and too small a bill.

neil

[dbozkurt]

So it looks like I need to look for any large whitish aggresive looking large nose bird.......mmmm I am not going to say another word!!

I got all excited thinking I got something new, never mind there are many 289 gull days left until Christmas

Debs