I've been checking local pools and roofs for white wings for the last couple of weeks but to no avail. Delayed start this morning meant I hit Rhaslas at 11:50 hours with c230 gulls present, close to the east bank and the wrong side of a cold east wind. Couldn't get a side view and first thought it was probably an Iceland but eventually got a good rear view of the bird between a lesser black back and a herring gull, it was big. Tried to get upwind to get a decent shot but they flushed. I reckon; glaucous 1st winter - 1st summer, what do you reckon. [shots are the best I could do with a wellie full of snow and no ants]. Llwyn-onn water pipit on spillway with Mitch, Cliff and one other.
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ReplyDeleteThink it,s a iceland gull now and first winter going in to spring .
ReplyDeletecan i share your photo mike
ReplyDeleteYes share, no problem. I'll try again tomorrow to get a better view. It was bigger than lesser black-backed and appeared to be similar in size to herring gull [as viewed from the rear] BUT we've had big iceland gulls in the area before. The shape of the head as viewed in flight appears to be good for glaucous but the bill could do with a bit more meat.
ReplyDeletefavouring Iceland. The relatively large eye, suggests proportionally smaller head. The bill is in proportion to the head. In Glauc' the bill tends to look out of proportion (too large/long) and the eye tends to look small.
ReplyDeleteGreat find either way
ReplyDeleteBird briefly present early this a.m. but flew as I approached west bank. I took a couple of very distant shots as I walked through the rush when it was still sat off the southeast bank, see next post.
ReplyDeleteWell the Gull sites so far are saying Glaucous gull and one chap thinks a small female glaucous
ReplyDeleteI love gulls, I'll be back at Rhaslas tomorrow. Once I get permission I'll check the night roost.
ReplyDeleteyes mike good work and it would be nice to see clear photo next to other gulls.
ReplyDelete