Juvenile Caspian Gull on the left, with a juvenile Herring Gull - a beautifully pale, frosty-plumaged bird. Not terribly big so presumably a female? Almost two years ago, to the day, since my last Caspian, which was also a juvenile, but a more sepia-toned individual. See
here.
No contest for today's highlight - a gorgeous juvenile Caspian Gull off Mudbank, from 1345-1445 at least. Tricky getting the news out as I've just taken ownership of Maisie's old phone (so I can FaceTime her when she's at university - thank you Maisie). This means I haven't transferred all my contacts across yet, and I haven't quite grasped how to text when I'm not at home. Luckily I was able to contact Mark who stuck the news out for me. Many thanks Mark! Also off Mudbank today - the long-staying Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Redshank and 18 Whimbrel. Great to see Martin, as always, who happened to be on Orcombe when the news went out.
Earlier, on Orcombe Point - 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Tree Pipits. Off Maer Rocks - 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 juvenile/first-winter Mediterranean Gulls.
The identification features of juvenile Caspian Gull have been covered a million times, on innumerable blogs, but I'll whiz through them in case anyone is interested - small white head with beady eye placed centrally, parallel-sided bill with weak gonydeal angle, high chest, hanging rear-belly, long, stilt-like legs and long wings. I won't pretend any of these structural features are obvious, and they can change, depending on posture, but together they can add up to give a very distinctive jizz if you're used to looking at gulls. And that's the key - you've got to really look at gulls. A lot! Plumage-wise - dark bases to intricately 'freckled' greater coverts , pale-tipped tertials (without notches cf Herring Gull) and a nice white tail with neat, black tail band. There are other subtle features to look out for such as the spotty 'necklace', whitish underwing and pattern of inner primaries - all of which are visible on the accompanying photos...
A subtly different profile when swimming - low in the water, flat-backed and long-winged compared to the surrounding Herring Gulls.
Matt, you make it sound so easy. Great bird. I need to look at my photos and see if my hunch was right or I just saw a Herring gull or 2!
ReplyDeleteHi Tom - it gets easier with lots of practice, but the path towards being able to identify Caspian Gulls is lengthy and littered with conundrums and embarrassing misidentifications. Just when you think you've cracked it you haven't, and I'd be the first to admit to regularly being confused and perplexed by gulls that seem to defy identification, but that's why I love 'em! It's probably a bit easier in parts of the country where they occur routinely, like the south-east. All the best and thanks for your comment. Matt.
DeleteA real stunner and a great find Matt. Over 10 years now since my only Topsham Caspian, well past time I found another!
ReplyDeleteHi Tim - remember that one - is it really ten years ago?! Yes you're surely due another. Good numbers further east apparently, so chances might be good your way. Have to say I was a bit surprised by this one as it has been a dreadful summer for Yellow-legs. Haven't had a single juv. Normally expect double figures. Good to hear from you. All the best. Matt.
DeleteThat is a beaut, Matt. Lovely find. 😊 👍 Terrific set of photos too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gav - yep it was really lovely. Don't think you can beat a Casp but this one was particularly attractive. Knew you'd appreciate it! All the best. Matt.
DeleteThat's a realybeauty Matt. Has pale enough face to have the classic 1w casp look - but still really juvy elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve - yep, saw it face-on initially and assumed it was going to be older. Quite taken aback to discover it was a juv. Would imagine it's going to look amazing as a first-winter! All the best. Matt.
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