Photographer

Dick Newell

Date

29th December 01

Location

Milton, Cambs.

 Caspian Gull adult 29 Dec

Up To Caspian Gulls - UK

These 2 birds are atypical for Caspian Gull. There are 3 pictures of each. They were present on the same day, alongside this Caspian Gull and several michahellis. The leg colour was dull on both birds, slightly yellow on the first. On both, the eye is small and often appears dark. On the first bird, the pattern on P10 is as a Caspian Gull. I only saw a white tip to P10 on the second bird which looks similar to this Caspian Gull.

If they are a pure taxon, then what? If they are hybrids, then what is the parentage?
Postscript: General opinion on these 2 birds is that they are not pure Herring Gulls, possibly even that they are Caspian Gulls.

 Caspian Gull adult 29 Dec

Up To Caspian Gulls - UK