tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17013795171420022992024-03-13T23:18:20.133-07:00Thomas Miller's Birding BlogThomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1701379517142002299.post-69020827457115960122021-08-18T07:51:00.009-07:002021-08-22T13:38:25.859-07:00The Baltic Gulls at Appleford<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt00VMOuPXp6c5kgPTo8JrdcCe80QKBRtZTDWMlWmGMQGrZ28XGwCwDSqqmCFzlxwN94NQ1jRgmDvUSz5Z7rSPTV_HPHCJXyEOVlaPYPMNLmi61g44wMh7k3ETfslPfIDwEF87lCDVaY/s2048/Baltic+gull+field+sketch.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt00VMOuPXp6c5kgPTo8JrdcCe80QKBRtZTDWMlWmGMQGrZ28XGwCwDSqqmCFzlxwN94NQ1jRgmDvUSz5Z7rSPTV_HPHCJXyEOVlaPYPMNLmi61g44wMh7k3ETfslPfIDwEF87lCDVaY/w640-h432/Baltic+gull+field+sketch.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltic Gull - field sketch</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This year, I've developed a bit of an obsession with mid-summer gull watching. Right in the doldrums between the last Caspian Gulls departing and the first juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls arriving. There's only one bird on my mind here - Baltic Gull.</p><p>The nominate form of Lesser Black-backed Gull, <i>Larus fuscus fuscus</i>, breeds on the fringes of the Baltic Sea, northern Scandinavia and northwest Russia. It is really quite a different beast to the British <i>graellsii</i> and Western Europe <i>intermedius</i>. It takes only three years for it to reach maturity, as opposed to four years in most other large gulls. It is also a very long-distance migrant, travelling from the breeding colonies to winter in Africa, some 6-7000km south. This is probably the selective pressure that has driven adaptations such as accelerated moult and long wings in comparison to the other two subspecies of Lesser Black-backed Gull. Baltic Gulls usually migrate through Eastern Europe and hence their status in Western Europe is unclear, although it is likely that they are not particularly common as their migration does not follow the Western coast.</p><p>There seems to be a particular apathy amongst birders towards the occurrence of Baltic Gull in Britain - it's tarred by the "subspecies only" brush, and candidate small, elongated, dark-mantled Lesser Black-backed Gulls are recorded fairly regularly. For me, however, simply stringing an <i>intermedius</i> isn't enough - I need to be certain. Since the publication of Lars Jonsson's original paper in Birding World, it has been found that the variation in the moult of <i>graellsii</i> and <i>intermedius</i> is far greater than initially thought. This has led rarities committees to consider second summers and adults essentially impossible to separate from <i>intermedius</i> - so currently, there are only two types of Baltic Gull sighting that are acceptable from a vagrant perspective: ringed adults from "pure" colonies, and first-summer birds from May-August. Because of these rather strict criteria, there have only been 12 records of Baltic Gull accepted by the BBRC up until the end of 2019 - although it is certainly an annual migrant rather than the mega vagrant that these numbers would suggest.</p><p>I don't actually agree with this assessment myself and I think a combination of moult and jizz in these older age classes would be extremely supportive of a positive Baltic Gull identification, especially in small female <i>fuscus</i> where the structure is really quite far removed from <i>intermedius</i> - but it is what it is, and therefore in my quest to find an acceptable <i>fuscus</i> I would have to focus on ringed adults and first-summers. And let's face it - field-identifiable first-summers are much more interesting...</p><p>So, what to look for in a first-summer Baltic Gull?</p><p>I have summarised the differences between Baltic Gull <i>L.f. fuscus</i> and Lesser Black-Backed Gull <i>L.f. graellsii/intermedius</i> in the plates below. I produced these illustrations digitally using Adobe Photoshop. Please click the plate and "open in a new tab" to view full size!</p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMPnsITcgb2yTSaA5i9Hz-q9USbhzAhmF3-O-i2rBWxHvBpBN3q3rB3JDT1xYnNopbRH9b7z9HQ67-hPbxh3dNRS84FLxOXR7MW9KZC1uZzHSLHMRaKuzwTlE6vT6gFe21tZ8B02WWkQ/s2048/Full+plate+corrected.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="2048" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMPnsITcgb2yTSaA5i9Hz-q9USbhzAhmF3-O-i2rBWxHvBpBN3q3rB3JDT1xYnNopbRH9b7z9HQ67-hPbxh3dNRS84FLxOXR7MW9KZC1uZzHSLHMRaKuzwTlE6vT6gFe21tZ8B02WWkQ/w640-h504/Full+plate+corrected.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate 1</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p><b>Structure</b></p><div>Baltic Gull averages slightly smaller than Western Lesser Black-backed Gull,<i> </i>although this is often not immediately apparent in the field due to the huge variability in size demonstrated by <i>graellsii/intermedius</i>. What is usually obvious is the very long primary projection and attenuated rear end, which is accentuated by the differences in moult described later. Often appears quite short-legged and small-headed, but again variable.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Bill</b></div><div><br /></div><div>First-summer <i>fuscus</i> typically have a much more mature-looking bill than contemporary <i>graellsii/intermedius,</i> with most of the bill base being pale yellow/pink with some residual black markings at the tip. Some individuals even have a hint of red gonys beginning to develop. In contrast, first-summer <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> tend to have a dark bill, although some will have the same pale base to the bill that <i>fuscus</i> shows. Therefore, I would say that birds which have an all-dark bill are unlikely to be <i>fuscus</i>, but birds with a pale base to the bill are not necessarily <i>fuscus</i>. Bill structure seems variable enough as to overlap completely with <i>graellsii/intermedius</i>.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Plumage</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Baltic Gulls tend to have a very distinctive mantle colour, being a rich dark brown colour. This is also noticeable on adults, where the brown wash across the mantle immediately serves to distinguish <i>fuscus</i> from similarly dark-mantled <i>intermedius</i>, which usually have a more slaty tone.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second-generation scapular feathers are plain brown, with pale edges when worn, producing a distinctive scaly look. There will sometimes be a dark line following the shaft of the feather, but no perpendicular anchor marks. Second-generation feathers in <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> are very variable but many have a Herring Gull-like pattern of anchors on dark grey feathers which should immediately rule out <i>fuscus</i>. Throughout summer, Baltic gulls will replace their scapulars with new third generation feathers which are very dark black-brown, almost as dark as the black mantle of adults. This should be noticeably darker than any feathers present in the mantle of <i>graellsii/intermedius.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The coverts are plain brown with slightly paler worn fringes in old second-generation feathers, with new black-brown third-generation feathers beginning to poke through in late summer. Any kind of strong barring on the greater coverts seems to be a bad sign for a candidate <i>fuscus</i>.<i> </i>The tertials are dark centred with broad white tips, lacking any kind of subterminal barring. Birds with <i>fuscus</i>-type moult displaying covert/tertial barring are likely to be hybrids with <i>intermedius</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Body/underpart feathers are variable in <i>fuscus</i>, but average whiter than <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> of the same age. The head feathers are white with with streaking around the eye and on the nape. In comparison, many <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> will be quite heavily streaked in their first-summer. A white underwing has been mooted as a good identifying feature for <i>fuscus</i>, especially when juvenile, but from looking at a large number of photos I thunk this feature is as variable as any other large gull. The tail pattern ranges from a band with barring leading up the rump, to almost completely dark retrices. The rump feathers tend to be white, rather than barred.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Moult</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It is in their moult strategy that Baltic Gull deviates most from <i>graellsii/intermedius</i>. Due to being a three-year gull, with accelerated moult strategy resulting from long-distance migration, the extent of moult can be used to safely distinguish a large proportion of <i>fuscus</i> in a western European context. Before departing their wintering grounds in Africa, first-winter <i>fuscus</i> will replace at least eight, and usually all ten primaries, as well as all their secondaries and tail feathers. This complete post-juvenile moult is usually finished by April. In comparison, <i>graellsii</i> and <i>intermedius </i>tend to start their primary moult in May, and therefore will be undergoing this moult throughout the whole of summer. Because of this, those few <i>fuscus</i> that end up in Western Europe in May and July will have primaries that look distinctly blacker and fresher than all other Lesser Black-backed gulls in the area. The second-generation primaries and secondaries differ slightly from the juvenile feathers, with the secondaries having broad white tips, the inner primaries having small white fringes to the tips and with P10 sometimes having a small white mirror.</div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The pattern of moult in the first-summer Baltic Gull illustrated in Plate 1 is typical of many individuals in early summer (May-July), with all primaries replaced with fresh second-generation feathers on the wintering grounds. It is these individuals which are identifiable as Baltic gulls, as some slower-moulting birds will have arrested their moult halfway through replacing their primaries and would therefore not be separable from <i>graellsii/intermedius</i>. Altenburg (2011) states that any bird with more than eight new primaries should be a Baltic Gull - this is illustrated in Plate 2 with an individual that has retained a worn, juvenile P10. In early summer, Baltic Gulls will have no wing moult, which immediately distinguishes them from <i>graellsii/intermedius</i>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Q2R-BchuapWFAok9NigLnHsxaEicrAhjtDk5xxykX2nYz21gIcr8ssfhcnXw5bDyN_ffuIqIibzFYxE8dg8HzvuSSPolr0P20BaMMaLhPXAGjjpo4Y1FF71FQoR-5R5BRW8ingx3fY/s2048/Moult+in+Baltic+gulls.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="2048" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Q2R-BchuapWFAok9NigLnHsxaEicrAhjtDk5xxykX2nYz21gIcr8ssfhcnXw5bDyN_ffuIqIibzFYxE8dg8HzvuSSPolr0P20BaMMaLhPXAGjjpo4Y1FF71FQoR-5R5BRW8ingx3fY/w640-h380/Moult+in+Baltic+gulls.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate 2</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As summer progresses, <i>graellsii</i> and <i>intermedius</i> will start their primary moult, which invites confusion with <i>fuscus.</i> This is especially the case in late summer when <i>fuscus</i> will start its third wave of primary moult, replacing their inner primaries with fresh third-generation feathers with broad white tips. In some rare cases, they will still have retained their old P9/P10 from arrested moult prior to migration, hence showing three generations of feathers in the wing - a moult pattern known as Staffelmauser (Plate 3). Whilst this places them almost a year ahead of their Western counterparts, both forms will be in active moult and it can be challenging to assess the exact age of the primaries at distance. In flight, the juvenile primaries of <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> will typically look pale brown and heavily abraded, whilst the second-generation primaries of <i>fuscus</i> will still appear pretty black, just slightly more worn than the fresh third-generation primaries poking through. The broad white tips to the third-generation primaries of <i>fuscus </i>should also be obvious given good photographs. July is typically the month in which <i>graellsii/intermedius </i>shows an incomplete tail - once they have replaced all retrices this can no longer be used as a feature to separate them from <i>fuscus.</i></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO23hxzlwW83iFiQcrZHTozjL2jJ5FTc-zO3cCTE5-4hwP9q61a_UigHMUUAzbGvIeL3pQJVsmCoprz8Tq914w3-Jqt3taAHEFE2gfYJhkhPXZpeMmHSo3a9NQXwFt6l7I8eyD7neibFc/s2048/Moult+comparison.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO23hxzlwW83iFiQcrZHTozjL2jJ5FTc-zO3cCTE5-4hwP9q61a_UigHMUUAzbGvIeL3pQJVsmCoprz8Tq914w3-Jqt3taAHEFE2gfYJhkhPXZpeMmHSo3a9NQXwFt6l7I8eyD7neibFc/w640-h366/Moult+comparison.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate 3</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The difficulty in assessing primary moult is especially apparent when birds are standing with a closed wing - since some <i>intermedius</i> will have replaced a lot of their primaries by mid-August (in some cases up to P8) simply looking for birds with fresh black primaries in late summer is futile. However, even on the closed wing, there are some clues that can be used. Baltic Gulls will still have a much longer primary projection as they will have a full set of outer primaries. In contrast, these feathers in <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> will still be in active moult, regrowing P9-10, and therefore these birds will look pretty truncated at the rear despite the primaries being fresh and black. This is illustrated in Plate 4 - <i>fuscus</i> will have about six primary tips visible beyond the tertials (P5-10) whilst <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> will have at most four, with the outer primary being P8 and P9/P10 regrowing behind it. Comparison with the other plumage features described above means that <i>fuscus </i>can still be identified with care through late summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1f6_qeG2CEOXYWMc7hAKPU1cJ2dLr2oL-aauEI-IfkiGKQyrhDDbedLwsGQmD1aXO90OruWH-jJ56jlph-NHUC392IC6wgaWRbCzkhbHvO7rfpDXiMqUFBGRmx_rEHutfQjBIJSrUDY/s2048/primaries+comparison+corrected.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="2048" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1f6_qeG2CEOXYWMc7hAKPU1cJ2dLr2oL-aauEI-IfkiGKQyrhDDbedLwsGQmD1aXO90OruWH-jJ56jlph-NHUC392IC6wgaWRbCzkhbHvO7rfpDXiMqUFBGRmx_rEHutfQjBIJSrUDY/w640-h324/primaries+comparison+corrected.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate 4</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Getting into September, <i>graellsii/intermedius </i>will have completed their primary moult and <i>fuscus</i> will have suspended its moult halfway through renewing its primaries to third-generation. At this point it becomes extremely difficult to assess primary moult and the window for identifying first-summer <i>fuscus </i>in the field closes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So to summarise, the key features for safely identifying first-summer Baltic Gull in a Western European context in May-August are:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>At least eight first-generation (juvenile) primaries replaced with second-generation, or in late summer, third-generation feathers. If P9-10 are retained first-generation feathers, this will be from arrested moult.</li><li>Full set of second-generation secondaries.</li><li>Full set of second-generation retrices (tail feathers).</li><li>Dark black-brown third-generation scapulars and coverts in the mantle.</li><li>Lack of strong barring in the coverts and tertials, with most feathers being plain brown.</li></ol><div>Other indicative features include:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Pale-based bill with black markings at tip.</li><li>Elongated structure.</li><li>Whitish head and underparts.</li></ol></div></div><p>Armed with this knowledge I began searching. After a few weeks of visiting the pit, and staring at hundreds of photos, the "moment" finally happened on 1st July. Surprisingly, it wasn't the primaries which initially drew my attention to the bird, as they were hidden behind another gull. Instead, it was the rich, brown, mahogany-toned mantle, with plain scapulars and coverts and the odd darker feather poking through. The head was white and the beak was pale yellow with a black tip. After about half a minute of watching this bird it flicked its wings slightly and for a split second its primaries were visible - tar black triangles that cut straight through the heat haze and hayfever. It really was one of those "you'll know it if you see it" moments - I had doubted my ability to actually pick this out at distance, and had been umming and ahing over the dubiously darker primaries of a couple of candidate birds in previous weeks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLdU_P16XBVuPbPMLExEpVJk3vz15MffGaRRW8NudXsZzEVn-ddUWqWaW3O1NJS_oWrD1kvHrB43nsrp6279DPM2yCCmvoDFfcZtC2KQylVa7bRtZ65g6mjQR8LNUL0gDIP6zGHIuBAE/s1153/20210701_201424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1153" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLdU_P16XBVuPbPMLExEpVJk3vz15MffGaRRW8NudXsZzEVn-ddUWqWaW3O1NJS_oWrD1kvHrB43nsrp6279DPM2yCCmvoDFfcZtC2KQylVa7bRtZ65g6mjQR8LNUL0gDIP6zGHIuBAE/w640-h356/20210701_201424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In slight disbelief I waited a minute for it to do it again before phoning Ian Lewington, who luckily lives only a few minutes away and regularly watches the gulls on the landfill and gravel pit. Unfortunately it was at this point that the bird decided to go to sleep and so when Ian arrived it was displaying precisely no diagnostic features. It was also incredibly distant in amongst the furthest group of gulls some 300m away on the opposite side of the pit, and I was beginning to doubt what I had seen. A few agonising minutes passed before eventually, it woke up again and stretched its wings high above its head, revealing a full set of fresh primaries and secondaries with no obvious moult break - sealing the deal for me. Ian luckily managed to capture this on video, which was immensely helpful as this was, of course, the one day that I neglected to bring my phone scope adapter, and was really struggling to get good images just by holding my phone to the eyepiece.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZKIWGezgBwMOZYRkq1jUNPFMw5L-baK_mZImLjo7iK9b2sdDepfJo_Y9S8oFRNZQBWzyoIxzF-9TYTUg7H_ImJmJQcX9vLmX0goj4AElhFzxsn6j_ZR3qD4-cO-8PC5t2Ms0TlMe-SQ/s2048/20210710_080259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZKIWGezgBwMOZYRkq1jUNPFMw5L-baK_mZImLjo7iK9b2sdDepfJo_Y9S8oFRNZQBWzyoIxzF-9TYTUg7H_ImJmJQcX9vLmX0goj4AElhFzxsn6j_ZR3qD4-cO-8PC5t2Ms0TlMe-SQ/w640-h320/20210710_080259.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>After putting the news out and appreciating the bird for a bit longer, Ian suggested that we walk round to the bend in the road where it might be slightly closer. The vegetation had grown up quite high since my last visit and I struggled to peer over it - Ian, being taller and with a straight-through scope, had no such issues and quickly picked out the bird preening on the spit. After 10 minutes it took off and began flying around the pit, revealing a fully replaced tail with a diffuse band matching the intense black colour of the primaries, and with fresh white tips to each feather. It then steadily flew high north along with a few other gulls that were beginning to depart the pit, perhaps heading to Radley Lakes to roost. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIULR7_n6j4aer9ONAEl34J5ZL1tPaHBzbVpCzVLyZfF2dWU_peg7A6uG4b267-HDm98fl4LcawxsQZD5-WGaqpM22OOUj_5mAu5TGshJUeildpNeJ8xfwZiM94sz_qq6YERfStgxq9ag/s2048/20210709_230113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIULR7_n6j4aer9ONAEl34J5ZL1tPaHBzbVpCzVLyZfF2dWU_peg7A6uG4b267-HDm98fl4LcawxsQZD5-WGaqpM22OOUj_5mAu5TGshJUeildpNeJ8xfwZiM94sz_qq6YERfStgxq9ag/w640-h640/20210709_230113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I saw this bird again on 13th July, where it showed reasonably well at a similar distance. Note how small-headed the <i>fuscus</i> looks in comparison to the <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> behind it. Interestingly, stills from the video footage of it taking off show a slight gap at the base of the primaries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRaPUS6z3h6NcvG8sM5mHsdkWivhyphenhyphenuQPXJeoW-KpclhDh6NJLXqEsIjIa6Hi-RE7TQILm2tiDwl1HNb6Hzl4lbG_SXPt_tUm3Z3zgnX_1cQz11GQP26W0SJl4vXDozYD5YHugWTGKueU/s1235/20210713_202440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1235" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRaPUS6z3h6NcvG8sM5mHsdkWivhyphenhyphenuQPXJeoW-KpclhDh6NJLXqEsIjIa6Hi-RE7TQILm2tiDwl1HNb6Hzl4lbG_SXPt_tUm3Z3zgnX_1cQz11GQP26W0SJl4vXDozYD5YHugWTGKueU/w640-h358/20210713_202440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rk9dtHe1pvGCvvF9DLcARuNI2jdi-lo0Y530BUl6K1okO-7lwluUc8cjPAHyxMVbV9fShdelfU6I7TBLEbV-qcG7o6_srHIjUowIAOgUcBInr_MW-H7Jh_tAKOrb0OnyISZzHvmzcXo/s2896/20210805_162300.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="2896" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rk9dtHe1pvGCvvF9DLcARuNI2jdi-lo0Y530BUl6K1okO-7lwluUc8cjPAHyxMVbV9fShdelfU6I7TBLEbV-qcG7o6_srHIjUowIAOgUcBInr_MW-H7Jh_tAKOrb0OnyISZzHvmzcXo/w640-h228/20210805_162300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Then, on 6th August, I saw this individual a third time, and it had clearly started its third wave of primary moult, replacing P1-2 with fresh third-generation feathers with larger white tips. P3 was missing and the second-generation P4-10 still looked black and fresh enough for this feature to still be used to pick out the Baltic Gull despite it being in primary moult. This accelerated primary moult fits perfectly with the identification as <i>fuscus</i> - now, it is almost a year ahead of its <i>graellsii/intermedius</i> counterparts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9o8KVqY7AKsHuxCQOOXYaEalRoQsRpTJ9txt309_Y7D25TUejKRl3uDAC1LFVVKXSM4vG7shanlPkm-7eYn2bswoohxxxUlkLDBtHT_k4EdImHxcSLnAWi-hu3mGLwzgpVZwO2VJwuI/s2048/20210806_210128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9o8KVqY7AKsHuxCQOOXYaEalRoQsRpTJ9txt309_Y7D25TUejKRl3uDAC1LFVVKXSM4vG7shanlPkm-7eYn2bswoohxxxUlkLDBtHT_k4EdImHxcSLnAWi-hu3mGLwzgpVZwO2VJwuI/w640-h640/20210806_210128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It transpires that Roger Wyatt had seen this individual on the Spit Pit (a pool near Didcot Landfill south of the main gravel pit) in the morning and had sent Ian a range of superb images. Many thanks to Roger for allowing me to reproduce them here - an upgrade on my mediocre digiscoping for sure! These photos also reveal that the bird is currently undergoing extensive covert moult, having lost a large number of greater coverts on the right wing. Note the difference in tip pattern between the third- and second-generation primaries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwZ4AKaw6PIRzeYpZgLKGRXcCxeTMQRDM5Dr3i8U-R7LHGQHP7F8zhC7XKY1W-gh_fnl6E-9tsHIerxCa-nww2zuB-vdALEp-S2qWnVJAsq896av9lsZHSQsBpvUpDl8FsTbbfUmY3qE/s1158/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+15t.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1158" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwZ4AKaw6PIRzeYpZgLKGRXcCxeTMQRDM5Dr3i8U-R7LHGQHP7F8zhC7XKY1W-gh_fnl6E-9tsHIerxCa-nww2zuB-vdALEp-S2qWnVJAsq896av9lsZHSQsBpvUpDl8FsTbbfUmY3qE/w640-h426/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+15t.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8F-96vezT4Q1LpNxHK6SNyWLw_iA46zmxfaxG80bsXoGm4eA-Cw1DfDeNzJYlIXPMGOTVDm_XvYr41zvF5xw2AIKfcn6QRx6mTykUr2xVmK7E9eOWEmbT4z2MkDSN78J38OANt-q1DM/s1563/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1563" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8F-96vezT4Q1LpNxHK6SNyWLw_iA46zmxfaxG80bsXoGm4eA-Cw1DfDeNzJYlIXPMGOTVDm_XvYr41zvF5xw2AIKfcn6QRx6mTykUr2xVmK7E9eOWEmbT4z2MkDSN78J38OANt-q1DM/w640-h426/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtM398Er7jOdR1DIx4jYcIJxRbfHbumG4E0lOAVZLJYcf6an6DkthwXo6EcCWd43odU4XUOPSrNdsbICWwXiP5nNpmLwruXIi0VLBfZNNoNDENHCcEtu6XM_UCZeAFuxi1djMXfc9giM/s1455/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+47t.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1455" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtM398Er7jOdR1DIx4jYcIJxRbfHbumG4E0lOAVZLJYcf6an6DkthwXo6EcCWd43odU4XUOPSrNdsbICWwXiP5nNpmLwruXIi0VLBfZNNoNDENHCcEtu6XM_UCZeAFuxi1djMXfc9giM/w640-h426/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+47t.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94mAba2zToeMTXYj_87o61DaUI-CVGFlmMNyu9eHmBfHWLt5sT2GlH4AV1sbzFhmYVrS6nynRQpKACswhAorsiA7COHPLUlIn6QhfMgZO5DT-90vjTXRQlWNXTM8sJIKB-LI5IE-kT-8/s1311/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+48t.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1311" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94mAba2zToeMTXYj_87o61DaUI-CVGFlmMNyu9eHmBfHWLt5sT2GlH4AV1sbzFhmYVrS6nynRQpKACswhAorsiA7COHPLUlIn6QhfMgZO5DT-90vjTXRQlWNXTM8sJIKB-LI5IE-kT-8/w640-h426/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+48t.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXlHKFW5AGthC2DhJeYzp6TR3OMcNTrpW4BbCsEKyevwoHrKF_ogUBDmqlPMC1webxATIG8D8EW_Res-r-hu-81qn1X3AaKg8pHggL_53sL7Q8A2hPnEXo05M11j05MEx-loI5_uTRY4/s1359/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+52t.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1359" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXlHKFW5AGthC2DhJeYzp6TR3OMcNTrpW4BbCsEKyevwoHrKF_ogUBDmqlPMC1webxATIG8D8EW_Res-r-hu-81qn1X3AaKg8pHggL_53sL7Q8A2hPnEXo05M11j05MEx-loI5_uTRY4/w640-h426/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+060721+52t.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Since then, this particular individual has become regular on the pit in the evening and several local birders have managed catch up with it. At the time of writing it was last seen on 13th August, so it has remained in the area for 43 days.</p><p>On 28th July I found a second individual. I had panned over a sleeping gull a few times, and noted that it had very black scapulars. Being partially obscured and with its head tucked in, I wasn't sure whether it was simply a small second-summer Great Black-backed Gull. After a while it woke up and revealed a slim, yellow/pinkish-based bill, and a really tatty, moth-eaten white head - clearly in moult, and recalling Jonsson's illustrations in his 1998 paper. The visible primaries were tar-black - success! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKpH61hqVoJQzHL_sd-BoSGw6h-4v6NgRlbiK0hPeTZQyvLkS3K25mK5aZ84iOoargoSqdUTZVlV6eIpgo3bINJkbYrQ0eavt6d3r0P5neWplsQRqXbRLVjAMSR3IZB82HA8TY7Rc-yY/s2048/20210805_170447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKpH61hqVoJQzHL_sd-BoSGw6h-4v6NgRlbiK0hPeTZQyvLkS3K25mK5aZ84iOoargoSqdUTZVlV6eIpgo3bINJkbYrQ0eavt6d3r0P5neWplsQRqXbRLVjAMSR3IZB82HA8TY7Rc-yY/w640-h640/20210805_170447.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>This individual was far more worn, having tatty white edges to the scapulars and coverts. I find this "scaly" look really distinctive, with the combination of relatively plain, dark-brown/black centred feathers with pale worn edges looking completely unlike other Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Its structure was much less extreme than the previous individual. Upon examination of the video footage of it flapping its wings, it was clear that P10 was an old, juvenile feather, being pale brown with an abraded tip. The tail was fully replaced, and had a much thinner black band than Bird 1. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNxu-fzWVenZijDYrx42D4DlCV8nwP39ESqROBoi4scOizS2SYhMb7clPgqQo1Y4MdMzNxn2swCIuyMv0pFw9WAS_3kvuSCTKzDdbHGA-eWhhaAhd0XoXS470gEweRW_f447SLoj85rY/s2048/20210805_165533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNxu-fzWVenZijDYrx42D4DlCV8nwP39ESqROBoi4scOizS2SYhMb7clPgqQo1Y4MdMzNxn2swCIuyMv0pFw9WAS_3kvuSCTKzDdbHGA-eWhhaAhd0XoXS470gEweRW_f447SLoj85rY/w640-h640/20210805_165533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>On 7th August Ian found a third bird - sadly, I was out of county that day and therefore did not see the bird myself, but luckily the bird showed very well and Ian was able to take a series of photos which I have reproduced here. It is in a similar state of moult to Bird 1. However, it is slightly more advanced in its scapular moult and its bill pattern is different, with a hint of red gonys beginning to come through.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOLiQPUSD45xn74_1JCxE9frrswICWem5HbT1tDVeWE9uqHdpm9Ny0JFj7Jr8R9QXpAAKbGr4d0MuRzS090RN7NtIlcfr0B56HHtoPHks525YbX555SDLyC1saU2r0Bd1S8hd9XN21HU/s1920/Image19BALTICGULL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOLiQPUSD45xn74_1JCxE9frrswICWem5HbT1tDVeWE9uqHdpm9Ny0JFj7Jr8R9QXpAAKbGr4d0MuRzS090RN7NtIlcfr0B56HHtoPHks525YbX555SDLyC1saU2r0Bd1S8hd9XN21HU/w640-h360/Image19BALTICGULL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5hSOo7HGgMx6uO7eiS_8NJrStbj5mCm0NRVq1iUhKTHS5immpy2RjgjFsO1t4lCJfBw_P3ERgoKrVKDDC0RMH4Wpc7UVaScGsIQjH5stzybeVyg2jKXta0a31_UmX2yl21Jbya4Zpt4/s1578/20210809_114559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1578" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5hSOo7HGgMx6uO7eiS_8NJrStbj5mCm0NRVq1iUhKTHS5immpy2RjgjFsO1t4lCJfBw_P3ERgoKrVKDDC0RMH4Wpc7UVaScGsIQjH5stzybeVyg2jKXta0a31_UmX2yl21Jbya4Zpt4/w640-h440/20210809_114559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1CJIRy9B2j_W9uSjDLGMiW1_0V-b9NXyT5X_tFW22CzzW04pfHZz9ErxrbICD7GHixikUkKGzvkcqwlYYo8rWGQt9A_GubD24lhrvd9cQ8uvalNQNPuZ8Ln6fiVrFrt3Q0WmsJfYKU8/s2048/20210809_114838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1CJIRy9B2j_W9uSjDLGMiW1_0V-b9NXyT5X_tFW22CzzW04pfHZz9ErxrbICD7GHixikUkKGzvkcqwlYYo8rWGQt9A_GubD24lhrvd9cQ8uvalNQNPuZ8Ln6fiVrFrt3Q0WmsJfYKU8/w640-h640/20210809_114838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVIxz3JVEWD0cqIzqJYGW9h14r60Btpll8o-0W84DPbWofyx7B8oCZQu5KSRnxquEP8k2JeSwAyxdB4dca9cGOsaDzrzkBWBsInDszcNtHRXuaTGWg09KvDfsbeOL6_GiZsaCxoKImuA/s2048/20210809_115137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVIxz3JVEWD0cqIzqJYGW9h14r60Btpll8o-0W84DPbWofyx7B8oCZQu5KSRnxquEP8k2JeSwAyxdB4dca9cGOsaDzrzkBWBsInDszcNtHRXuaTGWg09KvDfsbeOL6_GiZsaCxoKImuA/w640-h320/20210809_115137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I saw the bird myself a couple of days later and amazingly it was on the pit at the same time as the "original" Baltic gull!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Bb9SBtcFbqUDce3eIBuA-juBxpUFR9PopyaQUqIrJRPRumWOLW-wcB3y02cEgI8X84RaHWPSXN3bTbinCKs1v1flEY9twCbnRa-lCjdI5d1Yc6yP-GYAm-6ZRVwPvsckuRID1XVSH5k/s2509/20210818_150155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Bb9SBtcFbqUDce3eIBuA-juBxpUFR9PopyaQUqIrJRPRumWOLW-wcB3y02cEgI8X84RaHWPSXN3bTbinCKs1v1flEY9twCbnRa-lCjdI5d1Yc6yP-GYAm-6ZRVwPvsckuRID1XVSH5k/w640-h320/20210818_150155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>As if three Baltic gulls wasn't enough, Ian sent me a photo that Roger Wyatt had taken of a first-summer Lesser Black-backed gull on the Spit Pit a couple of weeks ago. It looks like the perfect candidate <i>fuscus</i>, and clearly different to the previous three birds on the basis of bird markings, and moulted covert and scapular pattern. Sadly, this is the only photo, and I'm not sure if it's possible to clinch the age of the primaries from it. To me, they do look jet-black, and the tip of P7 on the left wing (visible above where the right wing tip bisects the left wing primaries) looks rounded. P10 looks a bit ragged on both wings. I would have liked a flight shot and views of the tail... but I am sure it is one!</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLqaKxwvomkD8IdfAU3pjdnhX4b9VPPRo2pMh4Umh88Bx02KlYrAQrpDfw-NbZq9JC3lbHuC2HixEW62jEug_SmJQJkxiww-wWSMVwuZI_PG73r_mG68lBTF_02Jw8eIlRMagK4ogywU/s2048/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+fuscus.tif"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLqaKxwvomkD8IdfAU3pjdnhX4b9VPPRo2pMh4Umh88Bx02KlYrAQrpDfw-NbZq9JC3lbHuC2HixEW62jEug_SmJQJkxiww-wWSMVwuZI_PG73r_mG68lBTF_02Jw8eIlRMagK4ogywU/w640-h426/Lesser+Black+Backed+Gull+fuscus.tif" width="640" /></a></div><p>So probably four different first-summer Baltic Gulls at Appleford in the space of a month - really quite unprecedented when I set out searching in at the beginning of summer. These also become the first confirmed Oxfordshire records after a few potential adults and a juvenile in the past. I have no idea if they're actually as regular as this suggests - some far better gull-watchers than me have spent several years searching before finding one. I would be interested to see if this pattern is repeated next year, or whether this is a one-off mini "influx" - I suspect the latter is unlikely as it's not been correlated with other birds reported from other sites in the UK. Really rewarding either way and good to try and clarify the status of Baltic Gull in the UK. Maybe in a few years, we'll be finding them as regularly as Caspian Gulls...</p></div></div></div></div></div>Thomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1701379517142002299.post-87320182064341917702021-03-30T14:54:00.002-07:002021-03-30T14:57:33.639-07:00Eyestrain at Farmoor<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41iLbglzcwDKFYRbTywVEbvf7x3h_cZkhBwOlkUxqm_PpiyLp8qCWp0wpM5DnMy2qeTgI4QFGeOBgJZOKWvamF6EtQHXNvgGpcaXpjNhmjkgHUMzntaq2TYhXIL1dTUbRlLZuNMJV_M4/s2880/20210320_181045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41iLbglzcwDKFYRbTywVEbvf7x3h_cZkhBwOlkUxqm_PpiyLp8qCWp0wpM5DnMy2qeTgI4QFGeOBgJZOKWvamF6EtQHXNvgGpcaXpjNhmjkgHUMzntaq2TYhXIL1dTUbRlLZuNMJV_M4/w640-h480/20210320_181045.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>For my Oxfordshire birding I have somehow ended up adopting three patches - Port Meadow (the original and the best), Appleford (because of the gulls and the tip) and Farmoor Reservoir. Why I visit the latter so regularly is a mystery to me as I despise birding there - it is a featureless double concrete basin and on a bad day there is very little to even look at. I guess it's close to where I live and very convenient to get to from my office, so I end up popping in a few times a week. What draws me there is the potential for rarity finding, particularly at the roost, where the numbers of gulls eclipse anything seen at Port Meadow - probably at least ten thousand in the depths of winter.</p><p>The downside to this is the size of the reservoirs and the fact that the gulls prefer to roost right in the middle of F2, the larger basin, meaning that they are typically several hundred metres distant. To give an idea of just how far away many of the birds are, the video below starts at the maximum magnification of my scope (60x) before using the digital zoom on my phone camera to produce an acceptable record shot of a first winter Caspian gull. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_X2wySk9tY" width="320" youtube-src-id="N_X2wySk9tY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The distance means that even at 60x the birds are still tiny through the scope, so features like the exact pattern of the scapulars and coverts are very difficult to discern. Combined with the fading light it's an absolute recipe for eyestrain when trying to examine a candidate bird. Therefore at Farmoor, identification of Caspian gulls tends to be based on bulk plumage features (like white head, brown greater covert bar and plain tertials). This means that some of the more borderline individuals remain unidentified, or equally that some minor Herring gull features that might indicate hybrid origin are missed. Nevertheless, it is usually possible to identify most birds in the roost and despite the distant views the sheer number of birds makes for very entertaining roost watching.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_9h4nkRNlwolSpVdXdvi_O0UvlxIdwn325tlb1g3GJa3INo-qoyhCtkIOsMmp_0kUU-QeKihthCVNiW34g8W-tsVbwnk24Y595o7geZG9kmejqZO5rlmTDQLUr3Tc5bfEZMvT-UYHH0/s1848/20210304_191952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1848" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_9h4nkRNlwolSpVdXdvi_O0UvlxIdwn325tlb1g3GJa3INo-qoyhCtkIOsMmp_0kUU-QeKihthCVNiW34g8W-tsVbwnk24Y595o7geZG9kmejqZO5rlmTDQLUr3Tc5bfEZMvT-UYHH0/w640-h312/20210304_191952.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical views of the gulls on F2.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since September last year, I've had Caspian gulls regularly in the Farmoor roost - most of these birds are individuals that I've had better views of at other sites in the county, which makes identifying them much easier. I've posted some of these photos before, so here are a selection of birds that I've seen recently, together with some better images of these individuals from other sites!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa9hlfQBffXY4d63V3hkNFUso1TOULP7kmNzX60mRDQAPHuu6cq5fk3f1YFT8bOsUXmMqt4cVdkcTw7caIUu6VPiU9KC8fsNMR5Jg_Wal9Ky3jhXViCY5xm4BE-V6TV2mQRCgHqvoB4M/s1610/20210324_190846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1610" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa9hlfQBffXY4d63V3hkNFUso1TOULP7kmNzX60mRDQAPHuu6cq5fk3f1YFT8bOsUXmMqt4cVdkcTw7caIUu6VPiU9KC8fsNMR5Jg_Wal9Ky3jhXViCY5xm4BE-V6TV2mQRCgHqvoB4M/w640-h360/20210324_190846.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1w in roost on F2.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyySs4Dv6h9TEqJsK5SsS958kRKYmugSjkYWxClmUeVW-dHo4Rz9390D1hWTd9wVbzhWkUSGJakG3D-kDij1mM8ctMsaYKdzfsU2WQZI4K79Q4U4zWgBS9C2aAJUoxwcOQMbB86WuNDo/s2896/20210308_193840.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2896" data-original-width="2896" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyySs4Dv6h9TEqJsK5SsS958kRKYmugSjkYWxClmUeVW-dHo4Rz9390D1hWTd9wVbzhWkUSGJakG3D-kDij1mM8ctMsaYKdzfsU2WQZI4K79Q4U4zWgBS9C2aAJUoxwcOQMbB86WuNDo/w640-h640/20210308_193840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better views at Appleford earlier in the year, although still pretty distant. This is such an amazing bird, the best of the winter by far... that extreme scapular pattern, with just a single dark line following the rachis of each feather, is my absolute favourite plumage type in <i>cachinnans</i>. Interestingly, this bird was dark, with a rather streaky head and dusky underwing.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas2GjbpH2BxWUBOyBhoJX3HzAwYp86nVbhDu7TteALcXx-CH0S_DYFQCBrT1d4ugzjC8YyvahukShD-O2mrx-H7CGihNXYQskKdNKGlx-Azg522u3F3WYqqbPiseyme8F5sU0cg0fklg/s1920/VideoCapture_20210324-191301.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas2GjbpH2BxWUBOyBhoJX3HzAwYp86nVbhDu7TteALcXx-CH0S_DYFQCBrT1d4ugzjC8YyvahukShD-O2mrx-H7CGihNXYQskKdNKGlx-Azg522u3F3WYqqbPiseyme8F5sU0cg0fklg/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210324-191301.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive 1w male on pontoon on F1.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3xmlHUfmomlQLUoS9TlJmALSK5uiT3McxpzzyLXmWwYTRAqw_VHrqaLUCJFaVWjpPVDlZP_j70sKaYXghadMuM0QRpwNvXPQRsmSVQqWv8aUGwKTWJ0NAjjQysaDYxlyI90ihZjGSGQ/s640/VideoCapture_20210328-133137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="640" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3xmlHUfmomlQLUoS9TlJmALSK5uiT3McxpzzyLXmWwYTRAqw_VHrqaLUCJFaVWjpPVDlZP_j70sKaYXghadMuM0QRpwNvXPQRsmSVQqWv8aUGwKTWJ0NAjjQysaDYxlyI90ihZjGSGQ/w640-h304/VideoCapture_20210328-133137.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image was taken by Mick Cunningham, who found this distinctive bird during the day at Standlake. The heavy bill, indicative of a male Caspian gull, is evident here - this is also an extremely large bird. It has been seen at various sites in the county since October.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmj0OYEjlX1_TzCqqPipAHmeYe-hhBB8SnRogrHNsAaCqzOsMi91BXF6pUgEDtLqSmWAXgnLAvekKOfTa4HaLzrz-UpCs5-Jm_uFV5xOQHpXlyaTrS4JMVkdjJGvaaoLtGIfhkA7QJG4/s1822/20210304_190604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1822" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmj0OYEjlX1_TzCqqPipAHmeYe-hhBB8SnRogrHNsAaCqzOsMi91BXF6pUgEDtLqSmWAXgnLAvekKOfTa4HaLzrz-UpCs5-Jm_uFV5xOQHpXlyaTrS4JMVkdjJGvaaoLtGIfhkA7QJG4/w640-h360/20210304_190604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2w in roost on F2.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5AmAg-zCzi04jUJw46PsTy_oqmOFcIio1f06l7_e0Lcm0BKYY8pb3vmgtCCcRRV8sijhvJULHwLrU7SRxzPhpMEXlqNKwXkTe07n7m84wtHPv4HQzWtV8V0KUAa8zMOVyEYdzUGmkfo/s1800/20210304_190546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5AmAg-zCzi04jUJw46PsTy_oqmOFcIio1f06l7_e0Lcm0BKYY8pb3vmgtCCcRRV8sijhvJULHwLrU7SRxzPhpMEXlqNKwXkTe07n7m84wtHPv4HQzWtV8V0KUAa8zMOVyEYdzUGmkfo/w640-h360/20210304_190546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing P10 mirrors.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN4CUJ64qrHR5AdIKphY5mgqh6VWoV9779rFB5dE8EKULr1Qud-YJzWqGEy1_WpY3aXauuE3T66PG7OG2p_VEWQHKiNFuAbYwdECSi-Swleki0gIAaAoM-cg2XxDTvAg4lLkWzki1HrA/s1920/VideoCapture_20210225-150532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN4CUJ64qrHR5AdIKphY5mgqh6VWoV9779rFB5dE8EKULr1Qud-YJzWqGEy1_WpY3aXauuE3T66PG7OG2p_VEWQHKiNFuAbYwdECSi-Swleki0gIAaAoM-cg2XxDTvAg4lLkWzki1HrA/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210225-150532.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same 2w in the field at Appleford.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIpXBC9s-G7-37g_v2EMUQy265xB7ziz7PS3xRkYMm-yfY8uR6XaD-PJA7G-T-fXc-tLqyU9wCXAMB-Aw4z18SVvwQt53kXgqbVIY8mU5-j36hRFhY895njeNyAUDeM_WlEO-9z_hfO8/s1600/IMG-20210318-WA0009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIpXBC9s-G7-37g_v2EMUQy265xB7ziz7PS3xRkYMm-yfY8uR6XaD-PJA7G-T-fXc-tLqyU9wCXAMB-Aw4z18SVvwQt53kXgqbVIY8mU5-j36hRFhY895njeNyAUDeM_WlEO-9z_hfO8/w640-h426/IMG-20210318-WA0009.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This rather indistinctive 1w has been seen regularly at the Farmoor roost and also at Port Meadow - this superb image was taken by Joe Wynn as he chanced on it resting close on a pontoon on F1. Below is a video of this bird in flight over F2, on an evening where it was so windy that the only option was "seawatching" and identifying the birds as they flew into and around the reservoirs! All the relevant features for identifying <i>cachinnans</i> in flight are visible - note the clean uppertail with neat black tail band, white underwing, contrasty upper wing and the obvious neck shawl behind the white head.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oWxw4j8UMoA" width="320" youtube-src-id="oWxw4j8UMoA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple of Caspian x Herring gull hybrids were also noted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvC7k4ulxIQ1nc31rHv1vSqKSyXt1tBos9P20vvzCsnrP5-XGe4tnt1vK3IBSZ8Rjj0OKgDKgJHhdvvN9_U75p6evBEw-Xf9rttOKeJsyGw62dsl-cIav9vxPd84PQVfA0SXmXSvHGTTs/s1920/VideoCapture_20210305-185445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvC7k4ulxIQ1nc31rHv1vSqKSyXt1tBos9P20vvzCsnrP5-XGe4tnt1vK3IBSZ8Rjj0OKgDKgJHhdvvN9_U75p6evBEw-Xf9rttOKeJsyGw62dsl-cIav9vxPd84PQVfA0SXmXSvHGTTs/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210305-185445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bird was regular in the roost in February and combined the clean coverts and tertials of Caspian gull with a Herring-like head and bill. Perhaps unsurprisingly it bore a yellow ring.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The putative 2w Viking gull deserted the Port Meadow roost at the beginning of March and moved to Farmoor, where it took a strong liking to one of the blue buoys and roosted on top of it each night. Its bulk meant that it was quite dominant over the other gulls and it had no problem removing an incumbent gull from the buoy and then defending its post for the rest of the evening. In the light at the Farmoor roost the uniform beige colouration of the underparts (actually darker than the pale grey mantle feathers) was evident. All equivocal I know as these fine vermiculated plumage features can be shown by pale 2w Herrings. But to have all of them in one bird combined with a Glauc-y structure makes me suspicious and having studied it at length I think there's a pretty strong case for a hybrid here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGFDm6jy8K3ecdNGG5sClq2_G_9lc13Pl2QO-O7p1o2OKf_TuVZrIcS1tGFnTG_WqOGtPQ4dV7B7AlyXX7ziEM0HUi4_wd9I_0kImriJL7wsv7gxHPJXfeOlw38H70dGzpbFqcZI0AH4/s1920/VideoCapture_20210306-191527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGFDm6jy8K3ecdNGG5sClq2_G_9lc13Pl2QO-O7p1o2OKf_TuVZrIcS1tGFnTG_WqOGtPQ4dV7B7AlyXX7ziEM0HUi4_wd9I_0kImriJL7wsv7gxHPJXfeOlw38H70dGzpbFqcZI0AH4/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210306-191527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuKhzR7bUKLgQ7U1i30qGuQlTQOKCiBZZFyH_UeodB-QmJdYQ3LjvS-K67raKem0eZefDxysp0TQ_ek5Cox-IwKBRZP37ootLU6qsX-XXgSnjlkl3GpS-Uje9Jl9Lfa6mb6P9Evf6OBE/s1920/VideoCapture_20210306-191429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuKhzR7bUKLgQ7U1i30qGuQlTQOKCiBZZFyH_UeodB-QmJdYQ3LjvS-K67raKem0eZefDxysp0TQ_ek5Cox-IwKBRZP37ootLU6qsX-XXgSnjlkl3GpS-Uje9Jl9Lfa6mb6P9Evf6OBE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210306-191429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yellow-legged gulls are regular at Farmoor with double-figure counts on some nights, particularly in late summer/early autumn. Some images of 1w birds below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuOJTUWaAZoXW_3BKkH0jeM7fcEbMrL3HDx_Jlt0-Vlq9UryYm4IvgEeprm5b5m5px_fs7OjjOqiHO4Tm30GRnHNjWdwBm6PEqFqMlTg3EMRgNndOHht_kgGa0TpRet7GxhkK9NZXgts/s1920/VideoCapture_20210308-183918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuOJTUWaAZoXW_3BKkH0jeM7fcEbMrL3HDx_Jlt0-Vlq9UryYm4IvgEeprm5b5m5px_fs7OjjOqiHO4Tm30GRnHNjWdwBm6PEqFqMlTg3EMRgNndOHht_kgGa0TpRet7GxhkK9NZXgts/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210308-183918.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7KrCRu9VTcg6XqRM9aYjV_oGTde9foRoBhz3GkUqMYZEEGsyu1pJHQnJ5Q2lyCoxhWFOcj4PmVlqLOFGjrcgT627ao7tjuY1N2HQiUb4lSJfNmpgLSUBLj-OWEaTBretbXRLSMnAif4/s1920/VideoCapture_20210320-191158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7KrCRu9VTcg6XqRM9aYjV_oGTde9foRoBhz3GkUqMYZEEGsyu1pJHQnJ5Q2lyCoxhWFOcj4PmVlqLOFGjrcgT627ao7tjuY1N2HQiUb4lSJfNmpgLSUBLj-OWEaTBretbXRLSMnAif4/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210320-191158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sMVVLyVKnN3hWO0yt2NrRvZ1he6RQPRSho52_T2ST_u5xPkC2VnwYNXmlIxho-Lf-LmulQ7LJO4ZCmBpKMF9fhYRS164vTAvuvT0IZs3f_x7Ard2pb3LNqs2A3F8MRnMX-gLoZUMqBI/s1856/20210304_190500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1856" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sMVVLyVKnN3hWO0yt2NrRvZ1he6RQPRSho52_T2ST_u5xPkC2VnwYNXmlIxho-Lf-LmulQ7LJO4ZCmBpKMF9fhYRS164vTAvuvT0IZs3f_x7Ard2pb3LNqs2A3F8MRnMX-gLoZUMqBI/w640-h360/20210304_190500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Small gulls, mainly black-headed gulls make up the bulk of the Farmoor roost and searching through thousands of identical individuals each night can be rather tiresome. Nonetheless there are rewards to be had - these two 1w kittiwakes appeared on F1 after a south westerly blow on 28th October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS0bBhmPnobSwk_u0nCjRUtaM5fkjqJ5Y3wxAoG7TSjIMSYPRRnmtqSyRY6wFWmlmwpUd9PpwnYpNmD2sN7eBsUJJ5WonLRpZmjFcwaP-xh2eXCZ6c5G4qZv5vvbbMdDnw5ScpzzZQhI/s1920/VideoCapture_20201028-163506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS0bBhmPnobSwk_u0nCjRUtaM5fkjqJ5Y3wxAoG7TSjIMSYPRRnmtqSyRY6wFWmlmwpUd9PpwnYpNmD2sN7eBsUJJ5WonLRpZmjFcwaP-xh2eXCZ6c5G4qZv5vvbbMdDnw5ScpzzZQhI/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201028-163506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Little gulls are regular in spring but much rarer in the winter roost so I was pleased to find these two 1w birds on 8th November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvQCC4os1eeKEYAmO0SxHNGCyEF02CNuTVNiJAR7WOA0i81oFBoH58RMroHDmmxoZFexpRyv8Yb3EXBASzqE_rS74ifnJrv0VNsIgPtFWLUXD7XVSfg3_NM-5fGYGddalcgAZ-JxpCdA/s1920/VideoCapture_20201108-172506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvQCC4os1eeKEYAmO0SxHNGCyEF02CNuTVNiJAR7WOA0i81oFBoH58RMroHDmmxoZFexpRyv8Yb3EXBASzqE_rS74ifnJrv0VNsIgPtFWLUXD7XVSfg3_NM-5fGYGddalcgAZ-JxpCdA/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201108-172506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The main passage of Mediterranean gulls occurs in March with smaller numbers in October and throughout this season I recorded a large number of individuals of all ages. In March, it was rare that I visited the roost without seeing a Mediterranean gull - the status of this species really has changed in the county, with a couple of local breeding pairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Numbers peaked at four on 6th March, which included two birds that were obviously paired and engaging in courtship behaviour. This consisted of chasing each other around calling and swimming in tight circles looking intently at each other. Strange beasts. These inseparable birds visited continuously for a couple of weeks and throughout their stay the thinner billed (presumably female) bird acquired a full black hood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KjaiADBEMHQ_1DaAw7cX2pyeB0900N5vUZCLwNFs-lHJz331nefiqwsE-PL31ZEVuwO0LcdAZePESeIlO6bw-KSPEqLCSUaYygDTTux1xWnLx7AKfTVu5M5GiH0tLflLsH5pi4eRymM/s1597/20210306_190002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1597" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KjaiADBEMHQ_1DaAw7cX2pyeB0900N5vUZCLwNFs-lHJz331nefiqwsE-PL31ZEVuwO0LcdAZePESeIlO6bw-KSPEqLCSUaYygDTTux1xWnLx7AKfTVu5M5GiH0tLflLsH5pi4eRymM/w640-h360/20210306_190002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zkgySkjSr2c" width="320" youtube-src-id="zkgySkjSr2c"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've noticed that early passage seems to consist exclusively of adults, with 1w birds only appearing in late March once the adults have petered out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5i_JsLwp6I4vY-qMTqtyW4x48tgn073PXBc-bLphSqulRiYsruVe2CMOOKYmQGnhAW-8IUbhy1PttslJr9kazq3hGpUpbme_nlaAZiLxk8Gbwt5RimZh4IW6FmnUa1DIqgDRq6KVmrI/s1920/VideoCapture_20210319-191123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5i_JsLwp6I4vY-qMTqtyW4x48tgn073PXBc-bLphSqulRiYsruVe2CMOOKYmQGnhAW-8IUbhy1PttslJr9kazq3hGpUpbme_nlaAZiLxk8Gbwt5RimZh4IW6FmnUa1DIqgDRq6KVmrI/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210319-191123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As well as the gulls, there have been a couple of other surprises - this cattle egret which few north as I was doing the roost on 2nd October was the first record for the reservoirs:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zw2uASLy2e0l6neXkxOzWNnwbwCDMsfulWgrz0v2EGq0BPVSO25zb8aTe4irBALBP60M4N1LtdEAEcKNo-WQDSzf3fzlYYhhfIO-Sbxz2kN7JAhZn2T7UjBB1qdn0RSskUjL3xM8mks/s1369/0O8A2950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1369" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Zw2uASLy2e0l6neXkxOzWNnwbwCDMsfulWgrz0v2EGq0BPVSO25zb8aTe4irBALBP60M4N1LtdEAEcKNo-WQDSzf3fzlYYhhfIO-Sbxz2kN7JAhZn2T7UjBB1qdn0RSskUjL3xM8mks/w640-h426/0O8A2950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whilst a ringed common crane from the reintroduction project on 12th March was another a good flyover and a patch tick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXSU0pVoh3ATCPH6-0o8kEg0Tp4JlXtqatAMNmklPanSyhaz8Ir8aZiP2R6wYdMhdOgieC6dwCc4JnX1-cMruRAzUnx6d09OeouaprptFDwsNvGokT_3_260fqZ9Y2UmjK7Hr1zJfbv0/s1784/0O8A4459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="1784" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXSU0pVoh3ATCPH6-0o8kEg0Tp4JlXtqatAMNmklPanSyhaz8Ir8aZiP2R6wYdMhdOgieC6dwCc4JnX1-cMruRAzUnx6d09OeouaprptFDwsNvGokT_3_260fqZ9Y2UmjK7Hr1zJfbv0/w640-h426/0O8A4459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In general, though, good finds have been few and far between... Hard to believe there wasn't a single white winger recorded in dozens of visits to the roost! I hope to rectify this dearth of finds during spring passage. Bonaparte's season is almost upon us and with a 1w bird moving east from Cardiff to Gloucestershire I'm hopeful that it'll end up at Farmoor in the next few weeks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUHRgnc4K18m74-Yyev7BlgyoD53bSTFAArylRfsAlwN2Xg6vb9iD5NweBj4vLOQRFeRwmInvSlNb5jSrnK0PLS9ZKXUJPeKT3_N4aCj2dLvjc33aKvKi6JwnEISol3uLjAnRHY_mQUM/s2880/20201119_154001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUHRgnc4K18m74-Yyev7BlgyoD53bSTFAArylRfsAlwN2Xg6vb9iD5NweBj4vLOQRFeRwmInvSlNb5jSrnK0PLS9ZKXUJPeKT3_N4aCj2dLvjc33aKvKi6JwnEISol3uLjAnRHY_mQUM/w640-h480/20201119_154001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1701379517142002299.post-55992856418012141212021-02-22T13:34:00.005-08:002021-02-25T00:54:50.826-08:00Hybrids and more<div>Despite the cold weather conditions providing interesting bird movements across Britain, birding on Port Meadow has been relatively uneventful. It has been relatively static in terms of Caspian gulls in the roost. I suspect I have almost reached saturation point with this species in Oxfordshire, in terms of identifying individuals that are wintering in the county - over 30 at the last count. I haven't found a new bird for several weeks (although doubtless there are probably some at Appleford), and combined with the lack of movement typical of January/February it's been a case of seeing most of the same birds again and again. Our regular 2w bird, which Adam has dubbed "Eric" has been roosting most evenings, together with a few other birds of various ages. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fQW2epsaB1034GZAkPdcTVfzx55sZsAnWZnKqgXYZZR5fEYy7xKJpIIsE2alPHsYItly2UrrRtWZ2Ge6Jo-h5M6m7-YsSOa1el7OttD3KC3Qz_dKnD1Afh9lywY69aiPHNJqEPPnGsw/s1920/VideoCapture_20210211-175517.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fQW2epsaB1034GZAkPdcTVfzx55sZsAnWZnKqgXYZZR5fEYy7xKJpIIsE2alPHsYItly2UrrRtWZ2Ge6Jo-h5M6m7-YsSOa1el7OttD3KC3Qz_dKnD1Afh9lywY69aiPHNJqEPPnGsw/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210211-175517.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Eric" together with the pale 2w <i>argentatus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Despite this, the roost has remained interesting with an almost continuous run of wacky hybrids, identification puzzles and straight-out "weirdos" that make gull watching such an entertaining form of birding. It is these birds that form the basis of today's blog post.</div><div><br /></div><div>Starting on familiar ground, it was good to see XJNE back to terrorising the roost this week. It was also joined on one evening by two other Caspian x Herring gull hybrids, including remarkably a bird rung at the same Braunsdebra colony on the exact same day! A strange coincidence, although the birds came in separately and did not interact at all. Great to see the range of phenotypes that this mixed colony is throwing out - XJNE is a really nice bird, albeit with heavily marked greater coverts.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtL1Qv4qTkABOhkRMUOSoMvzsQT9Eqm6hPapmpIzD-HYwtUgBDDuIS2vN02d8NfOEzpiIr0T_o9Nv0OS7uoNKVRvILFLzsxBHJIA37rLNx6RMffUZcAD2PTMl9KnZdavT1mDoTQWcb50/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-195921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtL1Qv4qTkABOhkRMUOSoMvzsQT9Eqm6hPapmpIzD-HYwtUgBDDuIS2vN02d8NfOEzpiIr0T_o9Nv0OS7uoNKVRvILFLzsxBHJIA37rLNx6RMffUZcAD2PTMl9KnZdavT1mDoTQWcb50/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-195921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13spiSSFsYRZBnReSJ1DcdpZzJOJd9mU7Pq7MTYIA9dY7yTnHcu2Bqjbs3fcUBgwuLtbDJqxe1iXrd78HCLYc5wajXwofiyy4HJwAFhHdpBDZLPc3bf99G1ip93xV0V5zuxQWTn-LYkY/s1863/20210213_231245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1863" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13spiSSFsYRZBnReSJ1DcdpZzJOJd9mU7Pq7MTYIA9dY7yTnHcu2Bqjbs3fcUBgwuLtbDJqxe1iXrd78HCLYc5wajXwofiyy4HJwAFhHdpBDZLPc3bf99G1ip93xV0V5zuxQWTn-LYkY/w640-h360/20210213_231245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6LIUVZqn_AhOTa1X606_nH4r5asdHph2cOuo_cdfkHnCQqfdJASDcIjZt5VlAeJ4cKzUmU-F89yx_PSNuBnxmMcFZJBfhWuJ8TIQCO_WYr8wdwrr7U7-r8YO7EFCWBjkiEJqy_aqf08/s1761/20210213_182542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1761" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6LIUVZqn_AhOTa1X606_nH4r5asdHph2cOuo_cdfkHnCQqfdJASDcIjZt5VlAeJ4cKzUmU-F89yx_PSNuBnxmMcFZJBfhWuJ8TIQCO_WYr8wdwrr7U7-r8YO7EFCWBjkiEJqy_aqf08/w640-h360/20210213_182542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>In stark contrast XJNJ is a real piece of muck, an obvious hybrid with clear <i>cachinnans</i> influence in many traits, with the scapulars, greater coverts, tail and underwing in particular being intermediate - it also has quite a thin bill and rangy structure - but other than that looking rather like a Herring gull. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B_96jiljNd4Z9IhKbt6WylpED0aPqS9cOcjRMZwSY5opmtJIuDk2venB32q9IzqDhOBNXLK75ExzvAUdZC4HvOQyDwM9PIxX0ap0jhb8dJ0j0SK_JPZGgfjDa7GKImLRRoHvKHFx02g/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-180050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B_96jiljNd4Z9IhKbt6WylpED0aPqS9cOcjRMZwSY5opmtJIuDk2venB32q9IzqDhOBNXLK75ExzvAUdZC4HvOQyDwM9PIxX0ap0jhb8dJ0j0SK_JPZGgfjDa7GKImLRRoHvKHFx02g/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-180050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwc-GCl-Lmu0w48KG2GtPplRrFGhmyk1sKAH7tq6E01R_MnG9jtIIBsSHrtRJIOSs80sQw4DAXY0SCjTa5Iv32UjskmoWdDEkRcAb-g8Ff8wv7EWDuYDQTZ_aLuJKtC5avo5cFd2o4zE/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-180330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwc-GCl-Lmu0w48KG2GtPplRrFGhmyk1sKAH7tq6E01R_MnG9jtIIBsSHrtRJIOSs80sQw4DAXY0SCjTa5Iv32UjskmoWdDEkRcAb-g8Ff8wv7EWDuYDQTZ_aLuJKtC5avo5cFd2o4zE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-180330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d06es48L8mShDMaZcb44HXQfjqtS756B2otgAm824KDlfYMcNx2eddNm5Qx6eGoewQEdc768rY1V1IDfnIdeNPhVp0SQNlqzCRdonSwYMID_4i_D8NwHOhGCO0Q_CYquREfpDwe8-0M/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-180229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d06es48L8mShDMaZcb44HXQfjqtS756B2otgAm824KDlfYMcNx2eddNm5Qx6eGoewQEdc768rY1V1IDfnIdeNPhVp0SQNlqzCRdonSwYMID_4i_D8NwHOhGCO0Q_CYquREfpDwe8-0M/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-180229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinos9pLZekNn6fT8mBT_4Ak5zit4OlVlCct1DGpn22YWN6LqeSVM8cGB2eH_YOjC_1kWV89NkhNRgcyiQtMMrfhmhhYX0YY1yBlLniXgjG5rheT14G94tRf_2hA9MAx4XzvHFry6s8LVU/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-180125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinos9pLZekNn6fT8mBT_4Ak5zit4OlVlCct1DGpn22YWN6LqeSVM8cGB2eH_YOjC_1kWV89NkhNRgcyiQtMMrfhmhhYX0YY1yBlLniXgjG5rheT14G94tRf_2hA9MAx4XzvHFry6s8LVU/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-180125.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyeDdbjG5dz43xab4fS8D6PpX8mBqugkr5kKA9fXzdBU8OYy9g153cglvZ72tvwHr8s-qVwDohuTRhiX8-6HMvj9VciSZkCKU4Rk9ZhEfaBdZRBnYH0sXu1L4OfRz3xPGUTN5bj7BESg/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-180139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyeDdbjG5dz43xab4fS8D6PpX8mBqugkr5kKA9fXzdBU8OYy9g153cglvZ72tvwHr8s-qVwDohuTRhiX8-6HMvj9VciSZkCKU4Rk9ZhEfaBdZRBnYH0sXu1L4OfRz3xPGUTN5bj7BESg/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-180139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This third bird is very Caspian-like, and at distance in the Farmoor roost, for example, I think I would probably just have identified it as a dark Caspian gull. It has advanced moult with many replaced coverts and nice clean scapulars, coverts and tertials - all good features for Caspian gull. The underwing is quite streaky, as is the head, but these features can also be found on Caspian gull from the core range. Where it is less convincing is its structure and facial expression, although this was not immediately obvious at range as the bill is quite thin. I always find it confusing assessing facial expression on birds like this as any kind of head streaking changes all the contours of the face making it very difficult to tell if that classic <i>cachinnans</i> facial structure is still there. Having looked at photos of dark birds from Eastern Europe I struggle to reconcile the facial expressions of these birds with what I am used to from the birds that I have seen in Britain. In addition, the bird is quite small, and I do find that these (presumably female) birds can have very short bills and punched-in faces - see the last image in the set below for comparison and also <a href="http://joshrjones.blogspot.com/2015/01/day-at-dump.html" target="_blank">this</a> bird on Josh Jones' blog. However, I feel that this latest bird definitely has a very Herring-y look to the face, which is particularly evident in the third photo.<div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Rpkbeoq_hfH1jbZvDlcBEEqNBcVctEqxsZQo3x2dvTZGFBRXnnWQGtnz8-27sH_P2hT_ygy9gbLP4rG9qOqQHKizsXkulxG37r-_W-B8on5L0YUh4d1puV2r8gBm5N0wlGkcE3jnZ1I/s1613/20210213_181936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1613" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Rpkbeoq_hfH1jbZvDlcBEEqNBcVctEqxsZQo3x2dvTZGFBRXnnWQGtnz8-27sH_P2hT_ygy9gbLP4rG9qOqQHKizsXkulxG37r-_W-B8on5L0YUh4d1puV2r8gBm5N0wlGkcE3jnZ1I/w640-h360/20210213_181936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppl5OFvNywQCMYcVPHrTm7n-AXl34OlFZbDjS6N66DJx37BbVjNgRJ-bJXKNQqeqDiWAqwQXstgFGDcLIWXhzCG8Vljx0gjvtpBu_2NCOdOcCNZlO3h7_U7fQxdKZL5hwrtRDhyphenhyphen6s3g4/s1638/20210213_193644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1638" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppl5OFvNywQCMYcVPHrTm7n-AXl34OlFZbDjS6N66DJx37BbVjNgRJ-bJXKNQqeqDiWAqwQXstgFGDcLIWXhzCG8Vljx0gjvtpBu_2NCOdOcCNZlO3h7_U7fQxdKZL5hwrtRDhyphenhyphen6s3g4/w640-h360/20210213_193644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo67XVwDogZj0cA8se81YR3jDLuy9607yfvbf1KX5ctJVHRlwtR4jgSW3BnmO2xcKAxdMzVLP6Kq8Yh3rwWeaOp3J1Pe6NQ6t2VHiL85NZudXlE1BWf3xfvtDGmuEXa3Yo-eMPyn5NY4/s1769/20210213_194626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1769" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo67XVwDogZj0cA8se81YR3jDLuy9607yfvbf1KX5ctJVHRlwtR4jgSW3BnmO2xcKAxdMzVLP6Kq8Yh3rwWeaOp3J1Pe6NQ6t2VHiL85NZudXlE1BWf3xfvtDGmuEXa3Yo-eMPyn5NY4/w640-h360/20210213_194626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dPfab3pvExPn5gVlW3hQUZ7c7X6jGLtmyy4gf4TXK2g6h_r22nR1_9-oK0f0yy0i5HTQc3SzQ1BDUuot18ZyvSPYaI7Uo7XUbk_G-ZGWD0G1IkKaBDInZMSgUtB-UKs7gjqgP-7Rjhs/s1841/20210213_193940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1841" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dPfab3pvExPn5gVlW3hQUZ7c7X6jGLtmyy4gf4TXK2g6h_r22nR1_9-oK0f0yy0i5HTQc3SzQ1BDUuot18ZyvSPYaI7Uo7XUbk_G-ZGWD0G1IkKaBDInZMSgUtB-UKs7gjqgP-7Rjhs/w640-h360/20210213_193940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wbOgAQu-bsOTHcFh7C5eA6BtY-ZL80-xLLgZNZr4QO1FzJFtRowTnBflnJngPP_VNA21NFrrMhgH8GRLvGkqHYOVYJdtADJu9d5jDUAqawJzmL5ClLOuRzJgHGYS9HzWGbbD0RIdU8w/s1851/20210213_184302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1851" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wbOgAQu-bsOTHcFh7C5eA6BtY-ZL80-xLLgZNZr4QO1FzJFtRowTnBflnJngPP_VNA21NFrrMhgH8GRLvGkqHYOVYJdtADJu9d5jDUAqawJzmL5ClLOuRzJgHGYS9HzWGbbD0RIdU8w/w640-h360/20210213_184302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl9ordEoUzdykl1UThtakh_Os0Nf3kw-KCAlKS0In-OYw1WVCCRHJJvs4EsAkkGLivLpLlf_z3Z9XcRnlQ6LQS-I-IvxJoL5Aaa59o5wkTAfRugt26Wj5EOTox2T0sgfqVqBLgZMN9rg/s1522/20210213_202600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1522" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl9ordEoUzdykl1UThtakh_Os0Nf3kw-KCAlKS0In-OYw1WVCCRHJJvs4EsAkkGLivLpLlf_z3Z9XcRnlQ6LQS-I-IvxJoL5Aaa59o5wkTAfRugt26Wj5EOTox2T0sgfqVqBLgZMN9rg/w640-h360/20210213_202600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL836ozsuYelUwV62VKOsa5hm9RM9aemZPwRvfh3wPwxJ2RvqwImoLfV3sGtf9BtV22-N6AoKuodsFSq15_QF3b7OpkkPCWDMdqfGmus2kc89OauxP3K9be2LGEsIXjbN9zqVrjZetEg/s1920/VideoCapture_20190209-184156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL836ozsuYelUwV62VKOsa5hm9RM9aemZPwRvfh3wPwxJ2RvqwImoLfV3sGtf9BtV22-N6AoKuodsFSq15_QF3b7OpkkPCWDMdqfGmus2kc89OauxP3K9be2LGEsIXjbN9zqVrjZetEg/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20190209-184156.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For comparison a presumed female bird with a tiny bill from February 2019</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A new 2w bird has also arrived in the roost and for me is a good candidate for a Caspian x Herring gull hybrid, having a really Caspian-like facial expression combined with extensive head streaking, especially around the eyes. The tertials and greater covert patterns are an intermediate type, which could theoretically be found on either Caspian or Herring gull.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcXhojlBtc_B4RV9u7q5W90m78aVeHGCSZkt1eR_nluhpgmivZImjsbg98n6lBDQVClGf5R2ub9foWyxYAzeiKONJk9jtnDzpxNuY-psEjprzpjTyx5B_bvACYA9fE-7D1CNQojrxh0Q/s1920/VideoCapture_20210213-210521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcXhojlBtc_B4RV9u7q5W90m78aVeHGCSZkt1eR_nluhpgmivZImjsbg98n6lBDQVClGf5R2ub9foWyxYAzeiKONJk9jtnDzpxNuY-psEjprzpjTyx5B_bvACYA9fE-7D1CNQojrxh0Q/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210213-210521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vOvn5UPUZTwuiOEYJNhyphenhypheneZQqCxjMqOxXOl3h5lUR0mMFyziC3MsOUJtcFqereyNV8VViiB3I0-llF0cQkwX0Qp-MZyTkJ7Xb6-qr05WmAtoGBFEVU7sePC-nI7Cp79aKzXwHKXGLyS4/s1920/VideoCapture_20210211-175330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vOvn5UPUZTwuiOEYJNhyphenhypheneZQqCxjMqOxXOl3h5lUR0mMFyziC3MsOUJtcFqereyNV8VViiB3I0-llF0cQkwX0Qp-MZyTkJ7Xb6-qr05WmAtoGBFEVU7sePC-nI7Cp79aKzXwHKXGLyS4/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210211-175330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This dark, heavily streaked bird is probably a Herring x Lesser Black backed gull hybrid - with the added feature of a massively over-hooked bill! Its mantle shade was similar to Yellow-legged gull. It also has a yellow colour ring, although it's been too far away to read the code.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPRgx5r45QpxshC9LKNwT2LklGlD-paQF4aAe8RweRcE8-h2hYjzQxkQ9Z5VMChoGSuirYDrTRYahoOu-H86cwnI_ySy8ar__Tzk0IeQ5iBkS57ydptmRQnkqhwcihcrgV0AnFaen484/s1920/VideoCapture_20210219-230515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPRgx5r45QpxshC9LKNwT2LklGlD-paQF4aAe8RweRcE8-h2hYjzQxkQ9Z5VMChoGSuirYDrTRYahoOu-H86cwnI_ySy8ar__Tzk0IeQ5iBkS57ydptmRQnkqhwcihcrgV0AnFaen484/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210219-230515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After the recent run of Easterlies I have been looking for yellow-legged Herring gulls in the roost, i.e. those "<i>omissus</i>"-types that originate from the Eastern Baltic. With several reported on the East Coast I thought it would only be a matter of time before one made it to the Meadow - small rewards, perhaps, but a goal like this keeps one going. I picked out this bird on 19th February and immediately thought it looked like a good candidate - the lack of any black on P5 would appear to rule out Yellow-legged gull, and the mantle also looked slightly too pale for that species. It had a strange, asymmetric primary pattern, with a complete P10 tip on the right wing (unusual in Yellow-legged gull) and a thin subterminal band on the left. However... this bird lacks the long P10 tongues typical of "<i>omissus</i>"-types and its head also just looks exactly like a Yellow-legged gull - really mean expression and heavy, blunt-tipped bill with massive red gonys. I guess this is also possible on large, male Herring gulls, but this feature, combined with the lack of primary tongues (although admittedly still perfectly fine for <i>argentatus</i>) and also the mantle shade (lacking the bluish hue that I am used to seeing with <i>argentatus</i>) make this a far from straightforward case in my opinion. I wonder if it is a hybrid, which would explain its mantle colour and Yellow-legged gull jizz. Or perhaps it is just a large, male yellow-legged Herring gull and I'm being far too fussy about something that isn't even a discrete population any more - "<i>omissus</i>" was invaded by pink-legged <i>argentatus</i> decades ago, thus the classic yellow-legged phenotype is heavily diluted. Either way a fascinating bird. According to Chris Gibbins, Eastern <i>michahellis</i> can also have much reduced, sometimes completely absent P5 marks, combined with much longer primary tongues...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovibCJHNt8TNOYN3N_QNiIecHm6HOn0I-R67HuAUfIbQXEquiNg5yDXsF7Sz4edCUGMb_2Lp33ZKZrrUNKNgCqhrZVyvHAHDv7avSIiAC5wp2ur2YpST3UbY5T9S66dsA6OFMWEcVxZw/s745/20210219_194548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="745" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovibCJHNt8TNOYN3N_QNiIecHm6HOn0I-R67HuAUfIbQXEquiNg5yDXsF7Sz4edCUGMb_2Lp33ZKZrrUNKNgCqhrZVyvHAHDv7avSIiAC5wp2ur2YpST3UbY5T9S66dsA6OFMWEcVxZw/w640-h360/20210219_194548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHoKubjVFx5frDsFauOEjcFUfNarSNa1upfpMTU5VvRev76DASZCMhpE8WYtGYvGcyp7EWxvSRdfS6myhhzwK_uMqe4pTqlEYhbVQbuvnacD9RyZDNH9vE5lQ8_uh6XzeM7dhiUhtXps/s1920/VideoCapture_20210219-181436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHoKubjVFx5frDsFauOEjcFUfNarSNa1upfpMTU5VvRev76DASZCMhpE8WYtGYvGcyp7EWxvSRdfS6myhhzwK_uMqe4pTqlEYhbVQbuvnacD9RyZDNH9vE5lQ8_uh6XzeM7dhiUhtXps/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210219-181436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63414Rtg-Tk3GAyf7bp69SaUsP60SzJkjHMQa1I4MFrClaCi1K1sWuaomJgmlLV9I-k1DzFniSW3gZmxX2IvslMH5zaQvqAUQCiEGiEedJWUqDGR4bZovdsNqP1AzaNHHIMfsuDtfNkY/s1920/VideoCapture_20210219-193955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63414Rtg-Tk3GAyf7bp69SaUsP60SzJkjHMQa1I4MFrClaCi1K1sWuaomJgmlLV9I-k1DzFniSW3gZmxX2IvslMH5zaQvqAUQCiEGiEedJWUqDGR4bZovdsNqP1AzaNHHIMfsuDtfNkY/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210219-193955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKp6EfIdnyhLZPmprSPU9vsypwnoF7NvrsbKPjxutkdkku5rD1ziipP215kpD-VNX6IWmt9LpnMYIhyphenhyphennPq30qSzd_HLnO1zNuWsOI4Onx2VQ2G0ts1xG2KJHiBa3rrxzYJQHkdtcvDNI/s1223/20210219_192146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1223" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKp6EfIdnyhLZPmprSPU9vsypwnoF7NvrsbKPjxutkdkku5rD1ziipP215kpD-VNX6IWmt9LpnMYIhyphenhyphennPq30qSzd_HLnO1zNuWsOI4Onx2VQ2G0ts1xG2KJHiBa3rrxzYJQHkdtcvDNI/w640-h360/20210219_192146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As an aside, this bird, which I saw at Appleford in mid-December, seemed to me to be a far more straightforward yellow-legged Herring gull, despite the white head. Ticks all the boxes - <i>argentatus</i> jizz and primary pattern, combined with yellow legs. Unless of course it's another Caspian x Herring gull hybrid!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnTzEqlpVhkPdDyuqi6W3DuSbsWiwct1JMJRN6MD2Es2QudMRxvm2G38HTzVg9TeGUzSZfndOA36am4emKxvUB3Z7-DJl1vo2sjISFfol1ru7HM0c4TO_1NOI7R8JMypDT3J7aSqBUHo/s1920/VideoCapture_20201214-195705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnTzEqlpVhkPdDyuqi6W3DuSbsWiwct1JMJRN6MD2Es2QudMRxvm2G38HTzVg9TeGUzSZfndOA36am4emKxvUB3Z7-DJl1vo2sjISFfol1ru7HM0c4TO_1NOI7R8JMypDT3J7aSqBUHo/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201214-195705.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTgRFMav06UjLixPW3JiFORcc6NbD5j_Hr_2WiPorA9D9B4sCiR7xQ7sDm9di1ruV36DQnFEwGvWKcY4WYiNRzoyajQTjSQd4D_4Ueu6SfRdnOlUexrJxpyOo3dMHgdYVF-AXbju7I4w/s1920/VideoCapture_20201217-232852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTgRFMav06UjLixPW3JiFORcc6NbD5j_Hr_2WiPorA9D9B4sCiR7xQ7sDm9di1ruV36DQnFEwGvWKcY4WYiNRzoyajQTjSQd4D_4Ueu6SfRdnOlUexrJxpyOo3dMHgdYVF-AXbju7I4w/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201217-232852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4OKxNEsPQwyLYXBFtOGqKiK87KdrPT5vd7EblsH9KufSOD0gl1RB9JCkbzwGDKZYjMsvCG3y2ARYk61dd9KtSm4vJjgcDZHshPMDmda9qFNMo9g1WYLmJr1Inj9N-rPGgd5eEPV8q0I/s1920/VideoCapture_20201217-100258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4OKxNEsPQwyLYXBFtOGqKiK87KdrPT5vd7EblsH9KufSOD0gl1RB9JCkbzwGDKZYjMsvCG3y2ARYk61dd9KtSm4vJjgcDZHshPMDmda9qFNMo9g1WYLmJr1Inj9N-rPGgd5eEPV8q0I/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201217-100258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>All the above birds make me think more and more about what really constitutes a "species" in large, white-headed gulls. As a biology student, I find it difficult to regard a group of populations that can freely interbreed to produce fertile, hybrid offspring as "species" in any proper sense of the word. However, I don't think they should all just be lumped into one! Genetic differentiation between these populations is complex, and often at odds with the phenotypes that we recognise in the field. For instance - Iceland, Slaty-backed, and Glaucous-winged gulls can in most cases be easily identified in the field using morphology, but mtDNA sequencing reveals that there is very little genetic differentiation between these species, possibly due to their recent evolutionary origin or periods of hybridisation. In other cases, evidence from mtDNA implicates whole or partial reproductive isolation despite overlapping ranges and some recorded cases of hybridisation.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is also a very interesting discussion about whether the clinal variation in large gulls is due to local adaptation, differential trait expression caused by phenotypic plasticity, or hybrid swarms in the contact zones between different "species" populations. Put simply, are the large, frosty <i>argentatus</i> with pale brown primaries (from the "far North") like this because of a local, slightly genetically distinct population, a gene-environment interaction, or the introgression of Glaucous gull genes? The latter is actually what has been concluded by at least one research paper (Crochet et al., 2003), i.e. that most intraspecific variation in gulls can be accounted for by hybridisation.</div><div><br /></div><div>A third complicating factor is the expanding range of species such as Caspian gull, which is moving rapidly westwards and hybridisation with <i>argentatus</i> Herring gulls is now frequent. Many of these hybrids cannot be sufficiently separated from individuals that fall within the variation exhibited by Caspian gull from the core range - data from ringed individuals of known parentage has shown that some second generation hybrids are virtually indistinguishable from pure birds. However, there is a particular "look" about many of these East German and Polish birds, and I would argue that in itself this is a distinguishable phenotype - very often combining a Caspian gull jizz with rather Herring-like scapulars and heavily marked greater coverts - XJNE being a good example of this form. These birds also tend to have a streaky plumage and a slightly Herring-y facial expression. Ronald Klein, who works on these hybrid colonies in Eastern Germany has thrown the name "<i>Larus polonicus</i>" around to describe this distinctive phenotype. Perhaps in Europe we will soon have names for these hybrid swarms, in the same way that birders in the USA refer to Cook Inlet and Olympic gulls - both identifiable hybrid populations.</div><div><br />What does any of this actually mean for the British birder wanting to identify a Caspian gull for their list? Potentially, a larger number of confusing looking birds in the next few years - instead of dividing these down the middle into "makes the grade for Caspian" and "non-Caspian" perhaps we should be recognising these as a distinctive and increasing hybrid gull and only safely identifying the most classic, obvious "Pontic" Caspian gulls. This of course means that we will be chucking many non-classic "pure" Caspian gulls into the unidentifiable bin - but for birders who value the integrity of their species list then this is probably the best option. For me, since I think the whole species thing is far more fluid anyway I prefer to simply pick out "Caspian-type gulls" and not care about the exact genetic provenance of any particular bird. After all, a bird that may look completely classic may contain Herring gull genes somewhere down the line, which would be completely impossible to detect in the field unless the bird was ringed and its parentage known. That isn't really what birding is about for me - it's about being able to pick out identifiable, unusual phenotypes in the field. I just like the fact that they look different to Herring gulls and come from the East!</div><div><br /></div><div>For this reason I found the extensive debate surrounding the 2011 Rainham Slaty-backed gull rather strange - although it was right to correctly establish the identity of the bird, from my point of view, it wouldn't have actually <i>mattered</i> if the bird had turned out to have had some Vega gull influence (although the mantle colour has now been documented as easily within variation). It's a brilliant Siberian gull that's travelled thousands of miles to be here, and an absolutely amazing find regardless of its exact ancestry! I fear that if a Cook Inlet gull were to turn up in the UK it would generate little interest simply as there is no tick box on the British List for "Glaucous-winged x American Herring gull" (and no chance of it later being promoted to full species status!) - despite being a mega rare American vagrant. I find the devaluing of hybrid birds, especially gulls to be quite a shame and it seems purely linked to a listing mindset. It doesn't change anything about the the find (or indeed the twitch!) - it would still be a spectacular, visually distinctive vagrant - yet just because no chance of an extra tick I think most would pass it over. I hope to be proved wrong if one does turn up!</div></div>Thomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1701379517142002299.post-22693144810118009922021-01-29T11:51:00.002-08:002021-02-25T00:52:46.132-08:00Past couple of weeks<p>Since my last blog post the water levels have been up and down constantly on Port Meadow creating varied conditions for birding. On some days birds are fairly close by providing excellent views on small islands created by the receding floodwaters, whilst on other days the entire field is completely flooded resulting in a "Farmoor Reservoir" type of experience - i.e. straining trying to identify distant dots on the water. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV_IzpsDhGedE1HPYk0fBrmsRvyy_4xoOMdlRnzkcyqq-jkH5qVe943IfbywUxXFCeA_kwrS4eJsd7H6gpnXqmO-FPPiIRf1UCyKKCuizGprOqJJp33z8gNsTf3o20yEFj6SKnsJE7KE/s2880/20210126_152625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV_IzpsDhGedE1HPYk0fBrmsRvyy_4xoOMdlRnzkcyqq-jkH5qVe943IfbywUxXFCeA_kwrS4eJsd7H6gpnXqmO-FPPiIRf1UCyKKCuizGprOqJJp33z8gNsTf3o20yEFj6SKnsJE7KE/w640-h480/20210126_152625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The floods are still continuing to pull in large numbers of roosting gulls and despite the mid-winter feel of little turnover there have been some interesting birds present. Caspian gulls have continued to frequent the roost including this smart new 1w with a few grey 2nd generation coverts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGMTkov7gUwiwthjIcrmeVpnv4jwrOcvI3KtWX0Su3OI8sxpDvWlOW_7LRRZFCaq9RRBWdH0GS01PZt4PtWinkv39Ez7JOjcUe4ExiT1VV9Ga4FHCX6gmpMxm9eIpqO_hN3plsqyEl34/s1920/VideoCapture_20210114-170201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGMTkov7gUwiwthjIcrmeVpnv4jwrOcvI3KtWX0Su3OI8sxpDvWlOW_7LRRZFCaq9RRBWdH0GS01PZt4PtWinkv39Ez7JOjcUe4ExiT1VV9Ga4FHCX6gmpMxm9eIpqO_hN3plsqyEl34/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210114-170201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDT-bNNJBdgR4e5wq64QSebpo33t0N5tWS5VPJa5YxshbjcLNn2H2vTXiHaBXrmJRf_h01Y-MVcqAbxHVjZGU8ex2NhX3US2ZzcdYXFobR5vSiD-ToN0lwbgiUrIicH9KV7zOXUBRhRQ/s1920/VideoCapture_20210114-170044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDT-bNNJBdgR4e5wq64QSebpo33t0N5tWS5VPJa5YxshbjcLNn2H2vTXiHaBXrmJRf_h01Y-MVcqAbxHVjZGU8ex2NhX3US2ZzcdYXFobR5vSiD-ToN0lwbgiUrIicH9KV7zOXUBRhRQ/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210114-170044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This 2w Caspian gull roosted on a couple of evenings - an individual that I have seen previously at Appleford Gravel Pit. I picked out both this bird and the 1w above in flight as they circled over the Meadow - checking the gulls as they are flying in is something I've been doing more and more of recently and I feel it has certain advantages over trying to pick them out on the water especially if the gulls are densely packed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF2grGHCqOR5vv2h7_dQdy0yt5bKiM9IZp9oy-Zui-PCNtebFCr5iFT8cDlOVFs5qziRGAtUqV3Oc30TCnRvQRrRwewyjvKAalu8o1U6hfatDL8hN9ZsZL_eJqfCpoEBadndymSqj6cU/s1920/VideoCapture_20210116-172250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF2grGHCqOR5vv2h7_dQdy0yt5bKiM9IZp9oy-Zui-PCNtebFCr5iFT8cDlOVFs5qziRGAtUqV3Oc30TCnRvQRrRwewyjvKAalu8o1U6hfatDL8hN9ZsZL_eJqfCpoEBadndymSqj6cU/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210116-172250.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHNcq-M4V6iWUAoS1EzyZedSROweE8St43-n2g1yZkLsURGdsHE9aToOLgdl_9riQ4NaUnCUcZxZZ_Vbfxy5UdEAAZ4nVU0Fmq-JxBROMhCdNTqYTYAqqQuSnujbIqld4uqyeRhjusuo/s1920/VideoCapture_20210116-172238.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHNcq-M4V6iWUAoS1EzyZedSROweE8St43-n2g1yZkLsURGdsHE9aToOLgdl_9riQ4NaUnCUcZxZZ_Vbfxy5UdEAAZ4nVU0Fmq-JxBROMhCdNTqYTYAqqQuSnujbIqld4uqyeRhjusuo/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210116-172238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the P10 mirrors and the white tongue at the base of P10, both good indicators for Caspian gull</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The regular 2w Caspian gull that I've also seen at Farmoor has also provided excellent views although seems to have become tattier and uglier as the winter progresses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn4hXppASSt7uWHgsupsUA8xgX2wvH3FE4LDMhP69Wk38GMoiDklHYhFD2gaCnWCJLMupJqctQaQ0bTKoeusSL1XEHjJKO4AY35FUf5Ux9vsqJxBP4pt_slCHLvBUHJNbuxCwqHQ7RaE/s1920/VideoCapture_20210124-180132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn4hXppASSt7uWHgsupsUA8xgX2wvH3FE4LDMhP69Wk38GMoiDklHYhFD2gaCnWCJLMupJqctQaQ0bTKoeusSL1XEHjJKO4AY35FUf5Ux9vsqJxBP4pt_slCHLvBUHJNbuxCwqHQ7RaE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210124-180132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This 2w individual is a fascinating bird with heavily chequered inner greater coverts and plain brown lesser coverts reminiscent of Yellow-legged gull. I included a photo of it in the last blog post and speculated that it was a possible Caspian x Herring gull hybrid but have since obtained much closer views and I think that option is unlikely. If anything it has some <i>michahellis</i> genes in it, but I think it is probably within variation for pure Caspian gull. Although it has no P10 mirrors, the structure is very Caspian-like, with a long, thin bill and handing rear belly - legs are not as short as they appear in this image as the feathers are fluffed up against the cold. Pro-Caspian features also include the relatively unmarked outer greater coverts, mantle colour and pure white underwing. Hybrids with Yellow-legged gull apparently tend to be more heavily streaked at this age.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK5v7Or5HpZP3nOuTp_7JZ-_FeXm-amwEH6SeU6fgulV3qi2dXLpHYQS52TAPr7q0zu0dwd7_OtKDJXCrQoEpCvcRcJqROP_JkaPccargJrcrZxN_K2KIku2d7ccbny2WcUGLwJFojuA/s1878/20210124_181948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1878" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK5v7Or5HpZP3nOuTp_7JZ-_FeXm-amwEH6SeU6fgulV3qi2dXLpHYQS52TAPr7q0zu0dwd7_OtKDJXCrQoEpCvcRcJqROP_JkaPccargJrcrZxN_K2KIku2d7ccbny2WcUGLwJFojuA/w640-h360/20210124_181948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklLYv_lqnWs94zcnIfr4gJ7bOnlZx77scYhu2afuKtgGi8bw4zxSkpoG5IU1UHDP4UoohhyGrZbzfVoj5NK4ST1t9osi9T9atW4nRgZLryOZywDOGk3Z49hMnTy-hDDFYFWCRGCyNwhs/s1500/20210124_181826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklLYv_lqnWs94zcnIfr4gJ7bOnlZx77scYhu2afuKtgGi8bw4zxSkpoG5IU1UHDP4UoohhyGrZbzfVoj5NK4ST1t9osi9T9atW4nRgZLryOZywDOGk3Z49hMnTy-hDDFYFWCRGCyNwhs/w640-h360/20210124_181826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yellow-ringed XJNE, which I first noted at Appleford has also been present in the roost for the last few days. Despite being ringed in a mixed colony at Braunsdebra, Germany (and almost certainly having some Herring gull genes judging by the chequered greater coverts). I think it's a great-looking bird, especially in flight - really white underwing and unmarked uppertail. It is very aggressive towards the other gulls and on several occasions I have heard it call loudly as it flies around. I have rarely heard Caspian gulls call but got some good "training" in London over Christmas with birds coming to bread and XJNE certainly sounds like a Caspian gull - a braying "honk" quite different to Herring gull. Personally I am of the opinion that most of the large white-headed gulls are just one superspecies complex so the question of "where to draw the line", which many birders seem to be obsessed about with regard to Caspian gulls becomes less relevant to me. I'm just happy to enjoy a bird like this that's come all the way from Germany to winter here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGcgN6LQW6bXMlkvEzHXqvGXI1fTw202vLlaffZgGilFcWqoyfVvvu72fP2MsBuhzIfq2zHAkFHa05Wgv4ACKxxJKuRXPgXFu_ixdwAs2mKixBgBtOQvQeumrzCVItOc-5nAQfRges7M/s1897/20210124_183840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1897" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGcgN6LQW6bXMlkvEzHXqvGXI1fTw202vLlaffZgGilFcWqoyfVvvu72fP2MsBuhzIfq2zHAkFHa05Wgv4ACKxxJKuRXPgXFu_ixdwAs2mKixBgBtOQvQeumrzCVItOc-5nAQfRges7M/w640-h360/20210124_183840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HfENJJL_czp50snKtWZ9IKri6snqmkhs5cPvkm48QYtT0xJjCLbKg4SqJl-nfnjw65Hg1Oh9gz9uATDPOWNjix_4-dbq0KUKa1bSiztqGcUxCbLpO0Xxdfo0A9SRFpkMBaFk_dG5v-M/s1883/20210124_183823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1883" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HfENJJL_czp50snKtWZ9IKri6snqmkhs5cPvkm48QYtT0xJjCLbKg4SqJl-nfnjw65Hg1Oh9gz9uATDPOWNjix_4-dbq0KUKa1bSiztqGcUxCbLpO0Xxdfo0A9SRFpkMBaFk_dG5v-M/w640-h360/20210124_183823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlIlKMT8GhFIvDL8rP9aWFKfIfqgknnC9ptArnPZwLmQyifp8mH8zoiCO5Afd88v7iyEXqDxAPo9dIaza3UEAnakgrZXtfH_eupzJH8jf3Aqcb4lqxaTEx9UrDCNWrM6JJW_NAXCYMpA/s1818/20210124_183807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1818" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlIlKMT8GhFIvDL8rP9aWFKfIfqgknnC9ptArnPZwLmQyifp8mH8zoiCO5Afd88v7iyEXqDxAPo9dIaza3UEAnakgrZXtfH_eupzJH8jf3Aqcb4lqxaTEx9UrDCNWrM6JJW_NAXCYMpA/w640-h360/20210124_183807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoECnEeOt9fqh6J9OOIx1nHh47ZCwIp-AxJb6hKWHaYc7zqo8UtStVLtmnDloLL9lmIMSJ3Wmvx4T45x6cHoa88dzQEGX9SROmjZLFRoEMqcSO2ZC4XNKDMs_iqMw-bZ0Fn_HW5kCTpB8/s1159/20210124_182245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1159" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoECnEeOt9fqh6J9OOIx1nHh47ZCwIp-AxJb6hKWHaYc7zqo8UtStVLtmnDloLL9lmIMSJ3Wmvx4T45x6cHoa88dzQEGX9SROmjZLFRoEMqcSO2ZC4XNKDMs_iqMw-bZ0Fn_HW5kCTpB8/w640-h360/20210124_182245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN38z602WzunMWe74E_J2JjgwTlUR7hZwKQRlpHZbuNqzMd-FwFbfazLbFOHZQJar6CEIgqQCrYTn_5r5ElD652E3_q9X6uGYw9wCitaGFnPBWxGqoEq0ZaLZMVufZjSjKAObKOqtbXU/s1029/20210124_182313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="1029" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN38z602WzunMWe74E_J2JjgwTlUR7hZwKQRlpHZbuNqzMd-FwFbfazLbFOHZQJar6CEIgqQCrYTn_5r5ElD652E3_q9X6uGYw9wCitaGFnPBWxGqoEq0ZaLZMVufZjSjKAObKOqtbXU/w640-h360/20210124_182313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This 3w bird was also an obvious Caspian x Herring gull hybrid, with a very Herring-like primary pattern. Note the brightly coloured bill - usually a pallid greenish-yellow in Caspian gull at this age.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDmw7a1_KC3HHZKk0bHOryNAi9el7mGTY9JlCBsMG69LJ2Kng79ulzRrjCbdpBxfoibSFRE1RAjekIkdtpVbmWdiz7swvXEOn1mceicHWSBoP1W4eNANK-eB7khOHs0Bcqr5fmQdkzvE/s1920/VideoCapture_20210123-182936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDmw7a1_KC3HHZKk0bHOryNAi9el7mGTY9JlCBsMG69LJ2Kng79ulzRrjCbdpBxfoibSFRE1RAjekIkdtpVbmWdiz7swvXEOn1mceicHWSBoP1W4eNANK-eB7khOHs0Bcqr5fmQdkzvE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210123-182936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Continuing with the hybrid theme was this brute of a 2w <i>argentatus</i> Herring gull. Although not an obvious Viking gull I would bet money on it being from the far North and there being some Glaucous influence somewhere down the line - all the feather markings are so finely vermiculated, it has a Glauc bill, uniform latte-coloured underparts and very pale tertial centres combined with brown pale-tipped primaries. The tail pattern, however, was quite Herring-y. A striking bird.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OEiHvRKx62ZroPbQHdcxDglS4rvzx7dU5ijiwI2kxviTCRyomO99X81o3KCUWuYWyA1il8c7krPF6ggbcrc2fx1bUqOV3Dga3IeUS-ExXaaWCKVo4eiSliXI53K9FEAxPbrjKrco1LM/s1805/20210125_172252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1805" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OEiHvRKx62ZroPbQHdcxDglS4rvzx7dU5ijiwI2kxviTCRyomO99X81o3KCUWuYWyA1il8c7krPF6ggbcrc2fx1bUqOV3Dga3IeUS-ExXaaWCKVo4eiSliXI53K9FEAxPbrjKrco1LM/w640-h360/20210125_172252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There have also been a few Yellow-legged gulls in the roost - I rarely bother to photograph these but the 1w was quite a smart bird and the adult had a slightly peppered iris colour.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pJpovFMHMxguNivTeIvSu10KkAb_4uZP2VgA49b1IGeFBebH0eZ1Im0FJBl9rfVIb5TMNa4XDmdoMDZbyDG0Cd4LD0sclWItYpeetMZFRYfMXUrz2ULLohWcbV4wkiYwcj-2b37U7wY/s1822/20210118_171100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1822" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pJpovFMHMxguNivTeIvSu10KkAb_4uZP2VgA49b1IGeFBebH0eZ1Im0FJBl9rfVIb5TMNa4XDmdoMDZbyDG0Cd4LD0sclWItYpeetMZFRYfMXUrz2ULLohWcbV4wkiYwcj-2b37U7wY/w640-h360/20210118_171100.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1w</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMQq0NF549qX5dhZQVkT0slHJSOGOqUGiZ7IMX-1TJkocjoEINchrfVfDb9dM8_T3B32iOvLGVi78pBR56wYw_4vgy6rCW4uijbrQWGUeXKWqokPwKf5c1wIeBCfiTyexQU1SiJdiPPM/s1806/20210118_171118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1806" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMQq0NF549qX5dhZQVkT0slHJSOGOqUGiZ7IMX-1TJkocjoEINchrfVfDb9dM8_T3B32iOvLGVi78pBR56wYw_4vgy6rCW4uijbrQWGUeXKWqokPwKf5c1wIeBCfiTyexQU1SiJdiPPM/w640-h360/20210118_171118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing tail pattern characteristic of Yellow-legged gull</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzxoQ2VQ15gxmqWs9LUjCivJTys8J89zqKATMwbdY9r_s5kYBhL3mDNHWQnWJVz7fIxu3mQjfIRL829CTdZQqnzfy33wWmclIbZG8nGPuw4Kb9LU14ZE0pxjjwoBFn0MrDBdLxYcahjc/s1374/20210126_173628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1374" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzxoQ2VQ15gxmqWs9LUjCivJTys8J89zqKATMwbdY9r_s5kYBhL3mDNHWQnWJVz7fIxu3mQjfIRL829CTdZQqnzfy33wWmclIbZG8nGPuw4Kb9LU14ZE0pxjjwoBFn0MrDBdLxYcahjc/w640-h360/20210126_173628.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Of interest also have been continental <i>interemdius</i> Lesser Black-backed gulls - there have been a few of these in the roost recently, which generally have a darker mantle tone and more attenuated structure than <i>graellsii</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-ATyj2SDTPzp2wwED5qPTLBJYgiScdB5drAG5-Wv0qFKeu_3RO3Bt63NZL9ALUSRRWzgC6PsMOvLX76kOPZYfO_rJUKiPfLoS42cwf4-Qsjp7_iFs1KfQ3g-otv4R9TV7VsGp8muUns/s1920/VideoCapture_20210114-171235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-ATyj2SDTPzp2wwED5qPTLBJYgiScdB5drAG5-Wv0qFKeu_3RO3Bt63NZL9ALUSRRWzgC6PsMOvLX76kOPZYfO_rJUKiPfLoS42cwf4-Qsjp7_iFs1KfQ3g-otv4R9TV7VsGp8muUns/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210114-171235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Under lockdown restrictions I have avoided general county birding and largely kept to Port Meadow, which I'm lucky to have on my doorstep. However, since my Appleford patch is within cycling distance I decided to visit last week to check how it was getting on. There are currently very few large gulls on the Gravel Pit itself and instead they are now loafing in a flooded field just Northeast of the railway crossing. One of the first birds I laid eyes on was this adult Caspian gull - always hard to tell with the adults (especially as so many have similar bill markings) but I feel that this is a bird I've seen before, with comparatively short yellowish legs...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycnbz1xf_nB05ygF51SX4BGaUYJ0GBis26AP15AgwHHye9CWw8K8qiangcoujq1MBKcDUeRfkJU_-RCB0IReTDr8DLe1pTDzOF69uhRNY73b2E4TAqxH6LF7qopUzLaXM-4j6555oOfY/s1920/VideoCapture_20210126-131008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycnbz1xf_nB05ygF51SX4BGaUYJ0GBis26AP15AgwHHye9CWw8K8qiangcoujq1MBKcDUeRfkJU_-RCB0IReTDr8DLe1pTDzOF69uhRNY73b2E4TAqxH6LF7qopUzLaXM-4j6555oOfY/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210126-131008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This 1w was a new individual to me and a nice classic bird.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6JC22FytEHV5JYGBtZZ9lmZC84G5-hnr-DHKrygG6z0DvwG2XsZJrlHzYsidHUn3WFMaLBBOBMezxJpHEhqRFZz5iV-fnUBTqUtqQslh3gLHM5oasjr6wJCBSSjUtppn9YirKXFbxyA/s1920/VideoCapture_20210126-133410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6JC22FytEHV5JYGBtZZ9lmZC84G5-hnr-DHKrygG6z0DvwG2XsZJrlHzYsidHUn3WFMaLBBOBMezxJpHEhqRFZz5iV-fnUBTqUtqQslh3gLHM5oasjr6wJCBSSjUtppn9YirKXFbxyA/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210126-133410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This 1w brute has been around all winter and every time I see it I notice more Herring-y traits... it's comparable in my opinion to XJNE although has slightly less covert chequering.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSXFB0Q9grUup-ZyeWMxA2ExJIGBMuuFiXJQUUSoCXJkUqN7oh6lBy2F0kCVHc2wVa8Gcy1_0sEqvjOPTnCaYA2QgE447AZUq-rfjvWpu8BCszx8wleL-JW9vA62_2FjAu8hz9HAVhfo/s1920/VideoCapture_20210126-133014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSXFB0Q9grUup-ZyeWMxA2ExJIGBMuuFiXJQUUSoCXJkUqN7oh6lBy2F0kCVHc2wVa8Gcy1_0sEqvjOPTnCaYA2QgE447AZUq-rfjvWpu8BCszx8wleL-JW9vA62_2FjAu8hz9HAVhfo/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210126-133014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNzpA9vrUx77ETCkLgaIRgdRIApMzjOBM5xf3VAkdb75m8ugIWzyvqxaIU-I0ZHTIOc_Gz5MrbmN-3MezdBVEMSPKSEO9X41iM3rBpwGefWwcK6rTwqHd7WVI-2eg1_Ef2BK4saordXg/s1920/VideoCapture_20210126-133248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNzpA9vrUx77ETCkLgaIRgdRIApMzjOBM5xf3VAkdb75m8ugIWzyvqxaIU-I0ZHTIOc_Gz5MrbmN-3MezdBVEMSPKSEO9X41iM3rBpwGefWwcK6rTwqHd7WVI-2eg1_Ef2BK4saordXg/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210126-133248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>So in conclusion a solid couple weeks of gulling - no stand-out bird, unlike the excitement at the beginning of January, but still pretty rewarding. Nine Caspian gulls (four 1w, three 2w, 3w and adult) plus two hybrids is pretty good going for the Meadow by the end of January - clearly it's been an exceptional winter for this species in Oxfordshire. Adam managed to grip me off with a 1w Med gull in the roost tonight though which I failed to connect with despite being on site. Will have to hammer March passage for that year tick...</p><p>Finishing off this post with an image of a fabulous Port Meadow sunset.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwcq3R78pTwffPufHOcEpKueToj6fkRepb_o4WOzEGJCLjE1a-wdGXYxpMz6KI5QzIgrQpMl_YW-Of__0DUAOyj5J0EPcsPi-nscdY2XNceqQKHVNwZ6jeRC-RZoaZTNv6eFbzkIPWXs/s2880/20210121_164419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwcq3R78pTwffPufHOcEpKueToj6fkRepb_o4WOzEGJCLjE1a-wdGXYxpMz6KI5QzIgrQpMl_YW-Of__0DUAOyj5J0EPcsPi-nscdY2XNceqQKHVNwZ6jeRC-RZoaZTNv6eFbzkIPWXs/w640-h480/20210121_164419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Thomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1701379517142002299.post-26222143440959243392021-01-10T13:04:00.004-08:002021-02-23T06:30:36.821-08:00Back on patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMfUDJeEpLfpBwBxy-8UuWg7RBWoxyBvjnzNhyw4Ab0heQtFE3VwZHBqzTcd7cuasCSpYQ9rOeTFhqIvmGbwPOhq4OXinVmI8mr3bUEUlNntHoTvbHVsnqu4aJxYp0W5TrhuP1KLRM00/s2048/20210105_161148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMfUDJeEpLfpBwBxy-8UuWg7RBWoxyBvjnzNhyw4Ab0heQtFE3VwZHBqzTcd7cuasCSpYQ9rOeTFhqIvmGbwPOhq4OXinVmI8mr3bUEUlNntHoTvbHVsnqu4aJxYp0W5TrhuP1KLRM00/w640-h480/20210105_161148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back to Oxford for the start of term and back to patching Port Meadow. Feel really privileged to live right next to this amazing site and even more so now that we are in another national lockdown. Port Meadow is a large area of common land on the west side of Oxford adjacent to the River Thames, which floods regularly in winter. These floods attract huge numbers of birds, including overwintering wildfowl such as wigeon, teal, pintail, roosting goosander and a large feral flock of barnacle geese; waders including lapwing, golden plover, redshank, ruff, dunlin and black-tailed godwits; and best of all, a substantial gull roost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The roost (likely to actually be a pre-roost for Farmoor, with birds continually departing in that direction) gets going about an hour before sunset and therefore I aim to be in position at around 15:30 at this time of year. Views of the roost are typically distant and challenging in the fading light, but can be extremely rewarding, with regular Caspian and Yellow-legged gulls.</span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My first week back on the patch yielded a few good birds. Over the Christmas break, the river burst its banks and joined to the floods in the middle of the Meadow. The waters had receded slightly upon my return creating a set of thin islands running along the edge of the river, which is typically very productive. When the Meadow is like this, I usually watch from the opposite bank of the River Thames next to The Perch pub, but on my first day back I hadn't realised the floods were this extensive and so went straight to the usual watch point near the Burgess Field gate. Arghh! All the birds were miles away at the north end of the floods, but I just about managed to pick out a 2w Caspian gull - an individual also seen last year at Port Meadow and Farmoor. Nice year tick! Given that most of the large gulls were too far away I switched to going through the Black-headed gulls resting on the water nearer to the viewpoint, and almost immediately picked out a nice 1w Little gull. Patch tick for me and the first on site for a few years so a really good record for the Meadow. It took off immediately after I spotted it so I jammed my phonescoping adapter onto the eyepiece and managed to get a couple lucky shots of it in flight before losing it in the melee.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF0omoYzXAVuaowCPhxtjwj9WB4b49CbAryOp_Xpz6FoYTKeFWNE4dxLSyoA-RJwZHY9hr81KGoXgafnvTHMcZ5rNpX-aGqymwfsmSlXQxxgbO0YoFm6lQVu7M41uCTObi66wilwlbjg/s1081/20210104_174005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1081" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF0omoYzXAVuaowCPhxtjwj9WB4b49CbAryOp_Xpz6FoYTKeFWNE4dxLSyoA-RJwZHY9hr81KGoXgafnvTHMcZ5rNpX-aGqymwfsmSlXQxxgbO0YoFm6lQVu7M41uCTObi66wilwlbjg/w640-h360/20210104_174005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1w Little gull</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next day I went straight to The Perch and set up the scope facing the islands, where a large number of gulls were loafing. This was very productive and I ended the session with 5 Caspian gulls, a personal best tally for me on the Meadow. At least one of these birds (the first 1w, and possibly the adult) was a new individual for me. There were also several Yellow-legged gulls of varying ages.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN7ioZq_NE66JTMy_rdiwxge25tilD7xgyoXXmnBHp31n9-vtUb6OP1UcdyKIIKw6ophwsWiV2boKIZXGvTTfOXMROTA2iYKKcg5p5ws9_iYPfVodGJ1Zlw90mwF98v7hxVwybBXv5AM/s1877/20210107_185354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1877" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN7ioZq_NE66JTMy_rdiwxge25tilD7xgyoXXmnBHp31n9-vtUb6OP1UcdyKIIKw6ophwsWiV2boKIZXGvTTfOXMROTA2iYKKcg5p5ws9_iYPfVodGJ1Zlw90mwF98v7hxVwybBXv5AM/w640-h360/20210107_185354.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1w Caspian gull - new individual</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwJk9wuVEK42TazZJnjHCSqnyAjZpTki9Oe1D5mSg_Sn8bXo-4uDdtHJ-pxBrIiQUXpSR-aVnbp0YB2KolOKsmwCobfkPeoiBk2wdiAd_6wlbV3kRkfXN3aSblx-WpkiUd5KVi-5XU_U/s1861/20210107_185516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1861" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwJk9wuVEK42TazZJnjHCSqnyAjZpTki9Oe1D5mSg_Sn8bXo-4uDdtHJ-pxBrIiQUXpSR-aVnbp0YB2KolOKsmwCobfkPeoiBk2wdiAd_6wlbV3kRkfXN3aSblx-WpkiUd5KVi-5XU_U/w640-h360/20210107_185516.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1w Caspian gull seen previously in November with Ollie </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQCPh98HiAvxIKrUvGQEshMMcF3s6JplIKK1S21pevWiWWeiWqaOk0F2JMlOlcnTvyClO7BNkPYrXKQ9JwOxdNKq5CSaKj4YztIAwo8PcMg3v1JdCuKeaKNxOGTKgFhDHgek9LYSaPeY/s1920/VideoCapture_20210105-171827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQCPh98HiAvxIKrUvGQEshMMcF3s6JplIKK1S21pevWiWWeiWqaOk0F2JMlOlcnTvyClO7BNkPYrXKQ9JwOxdNKq5CSaKj4YztIAwo8PcMg3v1JdCuKeaKNxOGTKgFhDHgek9LYSaPeY/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210105-171827.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both 1w Caspian gulls together</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYfPMBNSbRdkJGDWFxIi5I4HvMSxDsIdtXDLekpbVGwttd0i3ReMEfQ2ZM14VXM45xlOjJFgmwymtPrVWwpjf3jjEN-yLyeEpOVROZ1r_mDRM2wa5kMvr0tzcbPpgDFYETbzsOWFS4w4/s1800/20210107_185410.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYfPMBNSbRdkJGDWFxIi5I4HvMSxDsIdtXDLekpbVGwttd0i3ReMEfQ2ZM14VXM45xlOjJFgmwymtPrVWwpjf3jjEN-yLyeEpOVROZ1r_mDRM2wa5kMvr0tzcbPpgDFYETbzsOWFS4w4/w640-h360/20210107_185410.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2w Caspian gull seen previously at Port Meadow, Farmoor and Cassington </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0in1PKw8WJEKjm40OwjanrgGMpN9KpBbqJ-_47nLEtlosYQooPyouUJ05C1ONi0wQ03eeCw5uDThvOcHas6EyH1bjCOsTTYg6UFCKYs1K-UoxozbZAHX1r4Z06SeRvpCCN73hvy7cFT4/s1796/20210107_185728.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1796" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0in1PKw8WJEKjm40OwjanrgGMpN9KpBbqJ-_47nLEtlosYQooPyouUJ05C1ONi0wQ03eeCw5uDThvOcHas6EyH1bjCOsTTYg6UFCKYs1K-UoxozbZAHX1r4Z06SeRvpCCN73hvy7cFT4/w640-h360/20210107_185728.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2w Caspian gull seen previously at Appleford</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt1VZDrEWjuBg_KPqQwKkK-pHQifzxbMgn_-1xEwvmWrNSGjEtfWuNCKeIhFQn9QHlyu0L7yHuQT1Vc82zPzImaY6ZzWUWYEXcNdhWk6xqCP795T3LU2PLBnlzfBPZhKTDrtpy8_CuJQ/s1764/20210107_185756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1764" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt1VZDrEWjuBg_KPqQwKkK-pHQifzxbMgn_-1xEwvmWrNSGjEtfWuNCKeIhFQn9QHlyu0L7yHuQT1Vc82zPzImaY6ZzWUWYEXcNdhWk6xqCP795T3LU2PLBnlzfBPZhKTDrtpy8_CuJQ/w640-h360/20210107_185756.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P10 mirrors.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmizKrpt_BTyzH6QiV9CM5zv5jEbHrng1RYY1033ZYtr7hcCmX9AB-2P3OPUQDWIfnysI4pGwkY9nrA0OTmVMRJa6yLEezxY1FQcoRYbosWlLmK_5El-PEe70Gc0VSrK-ogicjhMvsnY/s1824/20210107_185911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1824" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmizKrpt_BTyzH6QiV9CM5zv5jEbHrng1RYY1033ZYtr7hcCmX9AB-2P3OPUQDWIfnysI4pGwkY9nrA0OTmVMRJa6yLEezxY1FQcoRYbosWlLmK_5El-PEe70Gc0VSrK-ogicjhMvsnY/w640-h360/20210107_185911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Caspian gull</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrU140kU9-IP2necEW7lWfllVAgAuJlwv4uWJso6mtaojUJFFMgdNWXMUVNxy-P2irKrBcxOqXxztRuWhpxjyW4QGuZCElRLwxym3JweKustneTrU2yptmCMfuk-t44xb70_O8dbUnhk/s1842/20210107_185838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1842" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrU140kU9-IP2necEW7lWfllVAgAuJlwv4uWJso6mtaojUJFFMgdNWXMUVNxy-P2irKrBcxOqXxztRuWhpxjyW4QGuZCElRLwxym3JweKustneTrU2yptmCMfuk-t44xb70_O8dbUnhk/w640-h360/20210107_185838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing white tongues on underside of primaries</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As well as the Caspian gulls I noticed a distant 2w Common gull with a very dark mantle and dark tertial spots. The mantle colour alone, being only a shade lighter than <i>graellsii</i> Lesser black-backed gull, probably rules out nominate <i>canus</i>. The bird also had a brown wash to the coverts although the distance made it hard to discern any detail. It didn't seem structurally different to the surrounding birds so not an obvious Kamchatka gull (with longer bill and more angular head - although that doesn't mean it isn't one!), and regrettably didn't flap its wings or fly so no chance of seeing primary pattern or whether it had black in the tail. Hope it roosts again else it's the one that got away - but although not identifiable subspecifically I'm putting it down as an "Eastern"-type Common gull...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTft6A3ar0pNws3IBTZEs4-HJPd7hHvJIwOYtgE_idWkTcY-_uA6Kk07AYCsxQRNIcZjULOKSideOdEyLBIhGbEjdmCnNZxB0pYYK5ZlSERFZ1ICey8JikKDUQUNCS_aiGbIn2rsq6tI/s1920/VideoCapture_20210105-174541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTft6A3ar0pNws3IBTZEs4-HJPd7hHvJIwOYtgE_idWkTcY-_uA6Kk07AYCsxQRNIcZjULOKSideOdEyLBIhGbEjdmCnNZxB0pYYK5ZlSERFZ1ICey8JikKDUQUNCS_aiGbIn2rsq6tI/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210105-174541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The rest of the week was less productive although one of the 1w Caspian gulls roosted again. Of interest also were these two hybrids. This bird has a good jizz for 2w Caspian gull, but there's just too much wrong with it... no P10 mirrors and the coverts are heavily chequered which is quite bad for Caspian gull at this age. There's also something weird about its facial expression despite the long, thin bill. I'm guessing it's Caspian x Herring gull.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-5JtGn8aexFB_gJMNdJ9BnDJr1_sPGTPw6YCzEAyKtEpj97hWWlUnAAxzeEBYAm4Le0sOyNyPSJ-fqw5RHt9J_ljvgZIRG2B-oB_9lTx5f5RRi-EkxWHNFLUMklQOpwsWx7x0oW-zUE/s1920/VideoCapture_20210110-201631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-5JtGn8aexFB_gJMNdJ9BnDJr1_sPGTPw6YCzEAyKtEpj97hWWlUnAAxzeEBYAm4Le0sOyNyPSJ-fqw5RHt9J_ljvgZIRG2B-oB_9lTx5f5RRi-EkxWHNFLUMklQOpwsWx7x0oW-zUE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210110-201631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This was an interesting bird which I'm guessing is a 3w Herring x Lesser Black-Backed gull. Marginally lighter mantle than the surrounding <i>graellsii </i>(although too dark for Yellow-legged gull), with structure more reminiscent of Herring gull. Had quite a streaky head.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzkazQmFz_Lva5WC-JVDZWTN5SD8bWqL32mz6MKfyOC3v0xAqHiodx9Mz6WbI-q1zMV05q-P_jzN9VAOZj-cGPRmp8KLWLIlzXwhEgdjkFKu0z7myeQJPZ86Jk_lFHXuyTXZwiuHhHHE/s1747/20210110_192435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1747" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzkazQmFz_Lva5WC-JVDZWTN5SD8bWqL32mz6MKfyOC3v0xAqHiodx9Mz6WbI-q1zMV05q-P_jzN9VAOZj-cGPRmp8KLWLIlzXwhEgdjkFKu0z7myeQJPZ86Jk_lFHXuyTXZwiuHhHHE/w640-h360/20210110_192435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzt-aC4vzbFcLORDDhY49-4zy6nykQiAI7L-b3l94pJBqYkmhYe51YuSUOL7YSLq2tQ1CUnQOY5mSvEXsX5S-w7mkLxavmCW5gAO8vI-vgHL7L6YGlW9MSPJFA-n3YGmwJj_q3BYcFFk/s1876/20210110_193407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1876" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzt-aC4vzbFcLORDDhY49-4zy6nykQiAI7L-b3l94pJBqYkmhYe51YuSUOL7YSLq2tQ1CUnQOY5mSvEXsX5S-w7mkLxavmCW5gAO8vI-vgHL7L6YGlW9MSPJFA-n3YGmwJj_q3BYcFFk/w640-h360/20210110_193407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqj5dJx5R5bOuWYdyiBkGNKzYmiWcKm6ZgDoOX-mONLNSIiv2qSCzhhxZU8Gx_91gxZorDcpIpeDrGtlXnKdbNNvMc_S2AMA59kqhsbAz7l62eZ93DUDd_CBnFaUuIdRfLInPfYQr-OE/s1920/VideoCapture_20210110-174633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqj5dJx5R5bOuWYdyiBkGNKzYmiWcKm6ZgDoOX-mONLNSIiv2qSCzhhxZU8Gx_91gxZorDcpIpeDrGtlXnKdbNNvMc_S2AMA59kqhsbAz7l62eZ93DUDd_CBnFaUuIdRfLInPfYQr-OE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20210110-174633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>With the patch on my doorstep I'm fortunate enough to be able to visit for exercise without needing to travel - something that I'm very grateful for in the current situation. Together with the small team of dedicated Meadow birders I'm hopeful that some good finds will be unearthed in the coming weeks.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Thomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1701379517142002299.post-57234235878758353192021-01-01T10:25:00.008-08:002021-01-10T10:25:45.948-08:002020 Caspian Gull Tally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXh2IxDyeDQG90QHCaYdRDv1ZHTVn2jkdLvn4fAzLuvkJXVWXuxaKTCS1aidZAIaEYGfTru8s0GB88SoqXnWQSxv3tq4__i3hi0Zqo1IyqiZxIN6ZZwlRwlbFYQxjcnq-NDmdZcdORYnY/s1920/El60ZBvX0AUzhbq.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXh2IxDyeDQG90QHCaYdRDv1ZHTVn2jkdLvn4fAzLuvkJXVWXuxaKTCS1aidZAIaEYGfTru8s0GB88SoqXnWQSxv3tq4__i3hi0Zqo1IyqiZxIN6ZZwlRwlbFYQxjcnq-NDmdZcdORYnY/w640-h360/El60ZBvX0AUzhbq.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>2020 was a strange year in many ways, and it was good to find solace in that most familiar of activities - namely, straining my eyes at gull roosts. Due to the pandemic the vast majority of my birding this year was restricted to local gulling, mainly conducted January-March and September-December at various sites in Oxfordshire, where I am now based permanently. During the Christmas break I also did some gulling back in London, where I learnt the trade. <div><br /></div><div>My primary target was Caspian gull, an evocative species that's also a realistic prospect on a winter's day gulling. This was an exceptional year for me, mainly due to the increased gulling effort (during the winter I would be out at a roost or landfill site almost every day), and I saw 56 individual birds - 18 in London and 38 in Oxfordshire. As well as the Caspian gulls, other notable birds included a putative hybrid Ring-billed x Lesser Black Backed gull, two Kittiwakes and two Little gulls (with the latter two species being scarce birds at a county level) - as well as several Oxfordshire Mediterranean gulls and countless Yellow-legged gulls. Sadly, this was the second year in a row where I failed to find a white-winger, although I enjoyed good views of a juvenile Iceland gull at Appleford Gravel Pit. With signs of an influx already underway, and promising weather predicted, let's hope that the first few weeks of 2021 delivers one of these beautiful Arctic gulls.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given that this first blog post is a summary of my 2020 finds I have decided to illustrate all the Caspian gulls that I saw, as I managed to obtain photographs of every single bird. I have divided the individuals into two categories - "Classic birds" and "Non-classic birds", with a third category "Hybrids", not included in the overall total. For birds that I only saw once I have given the date but most were seen multiple times. There may be some duplication in returning birds that have aged a year between the two winter seasons, and I have speculated that this may be the case for a couple of the birds.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Classic birds - 44 individuals</b></h2><div><br /></div><div>These birds show all the expected features, and whilst it is impossible to definitively say that they do not contain genes from other "species", equally there are no traits that actually indicate a hybrid origin. No problem accepting any of these individuals as pure Caspian gulls.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>First-winters - 16 individuals</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 1 - Port Meadow, January-February. Pristine.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDC76gEqde-tvHn36CLItWdYVJ99QlSdlSefdfYTxZQ4nPo0AcsPRk-ahZEiYdUHDeUrEsp-7KFNJMuwcwgI34cpc-ep4uSrziiyeBjYC16QW4lFZfdpMfej7mrhQxKnCzWH2nXH3t3Y/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2b63.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDC76gEqde-tvHn36CLItWdYVJ99QlSdlSefdfYTxZQ4nPo0AcsPRk-ahZEiYdUHDeUrEsp-7KFNJMuwcwgI34cpc-ep4uSrziiyeBjYC16QW4lFZfdpMfej7mrhQxKnCzWH2nXH3t3Y/w640-h360/fullsizeoutput_2b63.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 2 - Port Meadow, January-February. Large bird, probably male with a massive bill. This bird was also seen by Ian Lewington at Blenheim on 8th January.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhSOHu71kaINVfwkqZqgE2YYoHTPdL17umJ31TfGRpkgaWJHnCdRA8EFvJ8yTP7J2NzQ9ReQBBF2N_0SR8RgwBY4152FhM0-r6b6NHJJYByK0psUdOZMTB7-prHlbORxpXpmTj26muek/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2b5f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhSOHu71kaINVfwkqZqgE2YYoHTPdL17umJ31TfGRpkgaWJHnCdRA8EFvJ8yTP7J2NzQ9ReQBBF2N_0SR8RgwBY4152FhM0-r6b6NHJJYByK0psUdOZMTB7-prHlbORxpXpmTj26muek/w640-h360/fullsizeoutput_2b5f.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 3 - Port Meadow, 1st February.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv3u9Po877jUE1joldzvlD17kd-pBJp2dz8enWAaapUyWFEZi-I0QKFUIKiN7mwsSEz48IUJtGhw2Qes-p8s-tGjeJ2j1jTWMhR9G9BlyWi38V2mDIKi5KSj8FD6sXGPahSxbb9w3M60/s1600/20200201_190546.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv3u9Po877jUE1joldzvlD17kd-pBJp2dz8enWAaapUyWFEZi-I0QKFUIKiN7mwsSEz48IUJtGhw2Qes-p8s-tGjeJ2j1jTWMhR9G9BlyWi38V2mDIKi5KSj8FD6sXGPahSxbb9w3M60/w640-h360/20200201_190546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 4 - Appleford Gravel Pit and Farmoor Reservoir, September. Massive bird, absolutely dwarfing the Yellow-legged gull.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGf-Zd4zJPSgL1eIL2VgLsui-zdAZCh4Ojrg9ZdZgwDCUa2IPk1h5onju7Ic6YEfVnQI5KUsWubmlHyxnIjlYJAXYUtn82Qy2JbZhyLRQTofRSYGvwAy9iwkywtzjFrfKYnwRfBcTJHg/s1787/Ei2XFEqX0AkKJnx.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1787" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGf-Zd4zJPSgL1eIL2VgLsui-zdAZCh4Ojrg9ZdZgwDCUa2IPk1h5onju7Ic6YEfVnQI5KUsWubmlHyxnIjlYJAXYUtn82Qy2JbZhyLRQTofRSYGvwAy9iwkywtzjFrfKYnwRfBcTJHg/w640-h360/Ei2XFEqX0AkKJnx.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleford</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD1R-BgdYW1u2-8FHCg6wqAyX2w-mCZCkI-76bhsBXQH_KWPajBjd-s6rr2InHQPBwG09Wcm-glxCZlMW2oAVAn0rHIiGfREmk4zar9iAQWl1J0nUwZ5M55kmtsDgtiJ0IOl-2-z7ZCs/s1437/EjGn0GvWkAgXPnv.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1437" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD1R-BgdYW1u2-8FHCg6wqAyX2w-mCZCkI-76bhsBXQH_KWPajBjd-s6rr2InHQPBwG09Wcm-glxCZlMW2oAVAn0rHIiGfREmk4zar9iAQWl1J0nUwZ5M55kmtsDgtiJ0IOl-2-z7ZCs/w640-h480/EjGn0GvWkAgXPnv.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 5 - Farmoor Reservoir, 27th September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlfJ2GoJmsDrYgHW_WpHbGHWauaVts11qPZZwS-qXRZilO1MwX2iAfwXwFBxWn3qLIPtePSEn5PP8bRG_BO_b0dhKvuTMCsuAUnc-CFK4Cs4OjIABsWoLSYmdnaGtpp1uSjwG9k3plkc/s1920/Ei8UtGjX0AIbln_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlfJ2GoJmsDrYgHW_WpHbGHWauaVts11qPZZwS-qXRZilO1MwX2iAfwXwFBxWn3qLIPtePSEn5PP8bRG_BO_b0dhKvuTMCsuAUnc-CFK4Cs4OjIABsWoLSYmdnaGtpp1uSjwG9k3plkc/w640-h360/Ei8UtGjX0AIbln_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 6 - Appleford Gravel Pit, October-December. Although this individual displays well-marked greater coverts, this sort of minor chequering is apparently within variation for pure birds. Note how this pattern is restricted to the inner greater coverts and also there is still solid brown at the base of the feather.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC2s8O0xgcqnGM0ECRfDfhuy7gvn-WDe7y7FqxvMcM9Tuke3rWudobHJX1GCouqbSrbt4lyzkNOxcGY-9l3Qb03hC0NkJFARrhBjd7cxKPWjsLvcBg7AGJTwatWf9J5MtmCi0k-Zyu_k/s1437/ElrNn34X0AI3Oif.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1437" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC2s8O0xgcqnGM0ECRfDfhuy7gvn-WDe7y7FqxvMcM9Tuke3rWudobHJX1GCouqbSrbt4lyzkNOxcGY-9l3Qb03hC0NkJFARrhBjd7cxKPWjsLvcBg7AGJTwatWf9J5MtmCi0k-Zyu_k/w640-h480/ElrNn34X0AI3Oif.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 7 - Appleford Gravel Pit and Farmoor Reservoir, October to November. The same bird was seen by Gavin Haig in East Bexington, Dorset on 5th October, Ian Lewington at Didcot Landfill, Oxfordshire on 17th October, and John Lynch in Newton Leys, Buckinghamshire on 22nd November. Good example of an unringed bird being tracked across the country based on distinctive plumage features, and a really stunning example as well - a large bird that's probably a male. Personal favourite Casp of 2020 and one of the all time greats...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBF_MLIpwPaS8Gk5rIg_by5CPj-6gJiLhPx3avUF0fnd42e494cs-GBfV8TLvZiON1EsTqKpQ7BAtiSaFUt7v-MWyS974HMSLYGwwIjZIYhDoqEHUVN6Ldisn_HO_wcPvjFhkS06jnZ0/s1920/El60ZBvX0AUzhbq.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBF_MLIpwPaS8Gk5rIg_by5CPj-6gJiLhPx3avUF0fnd42e494cs-GBfV8TLvZiON1EsTqKpQ7BAtiSaFUt7v-MWyS974HMSLYGwwIjZIYhDoqEHUVN6Ldisn_HO_wcPvjFhkS06jnZ0/w640-h360/El60ZBvX0AUzhbq.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxosWiOGmcoXvlAM5iIKSRHOtZUbdFaE9LhrzTcNu3-o_Jbmfe6sjdXs5QfamlKJ077Jnv3y-oa1Lg_bT9LnY7kGjCHxa_ec9sARdmqAqWmSGtrd-9PpehkhnW2NxXtw58JRSvQoTBTPQ/s1920/El60ZWtWkAEtsGS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxosWiOGmcoXvlAM5iIKSRHOtZUbdFaE9LhrzTcNu3-o_Jbmfe6sjdXs5QfamlKJ077Jnv3y-oa1Lg_bT9LnY7kGjCHxa_ec9sARdmqAqWmSGtrd-9PpehkhnW2NxXtw58JRSvQoTBTPQ/w640-h360/El60ZWtWkAEtsGS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmDIKy1q92D3fTSi76jpxEh84dNPFFnbc4DjGQc-cLMhUfhgEx2_7WAG6sMnhqXqrECMY5q7za4q5M25-06Nhaa5YPAIJ3EjXfMq_B2yOyDx1z-xPbkDnNPHK8jEnPxZuX66iGXErHHM/s1920/ElrOCqzXgAIvLwn.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmDIKy1q92D3fTSi76jpxEh84dNPFFnbc4DjGQc-cLMhUfhgEx2_7WAG6sMnhqXqrECMY5q7za4q5M25-06Nhaa5YPAIJ3EjXfMq_B2yOyDx1z-xPbkDnNPHK8jEnPxZuX66iGXErHHM/w640-h360/ElrOCqzXgAIvLwn.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouL3rOS_Qpx_u8WuYWeE_iUE1X_mwypohrLRk6WzXMg1GecOJPpiN1qFde6q3OgT5OH_w2u3YnxSiDl-u9IkAaH2zPZ8PvsFFopRl9z5PWmVX91Jj6GX9rJRdNsFFSAc9x85HDy76IfU/s1024/El7X6HfWkAILL5K.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouL3rOS_Qpx_u8WuYWeE_iUE1X_mwypohrLRk6WzXMg1GecOJPpiN1qFde6q3OgT5OH_w2u3YnxSiDl-u9IkAaH2zPZ8PvsFFopRl9z5PWmVX91Jj6GX9rJRdNsFFSAc9x85HDy76IfU/w640-h482/El7X6HfWkAILL5K.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Bexington. Courtesy of Gavin Haig</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 8 - Port Meadow, 24th November. Initially picked out by Ollie Padget - this bird has also been seen at the beginning of 2021.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDu3cTCQr9eFpQ5PapbDPhgHqbBEWmZbl3KpCIvbvGzvVoQ68eQvi-svRNAVjIm0uvrE4LHDxki3-qdLJxAgXRfEmO97TAMoXgxoOz2GAML7w8mIT2ny__yyzPQTASFxc1d9QJW9CjOO4/s1920/VideoCapture_20201124-171749.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDu3cTCQr9eFpQ5PapbDPhgHqbBEWmZbl3KpCIvbvGzvVoQ68eQvi-svRNAVjIm0uvrE4LHDxki3-qdLJxAgXRfEmO97TAMoXgxoOz2GAML7w8mIT2ny__yyzPQTASFxc1d9QJW9CjOO4/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201124-171749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 9 - Appleford Gravel Pit, December. Unusually advanced bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lJY3RX8eBOXvc6EGzeO0T4QcIbEuUMfbKmU_C6j8R_mweX8kX3NUgUNbjH6opS8RxFh4pSv2DHm3xHXyfugDQGs5HIykyMRYoriowHa46qFU84hOYNeoIAspEm-DvDTRPu5Ppsf4NHs/s1920/Eo5a3AKWEAEA_52.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lJY3RX8eBOXvc6EGzeO0T4QcIbEuUMfbKmU_C6j8R_mweX8kX3NUgUNbjH6opS8RxFh4pSv2DHm3xHXyfugDQGs5HIykyMRYoriowHa46qFU84hOYNeoIAspEm-DvDTRPu5Ppsf4NHs/w640-h360/Eo5a3AKWEAEA_52.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVgz2AB0qrIjGbfkM7ObsAPgTlZd_EQpAPXoKfEawfdKumnxpAMXMJuDlAp5gKzWl7e_7fB4JWefmhOBv7bL-LzPJqgi2PPLL5Sjsqbf4bjc38ordGu0HVsen7UjZMuZqeJt9n1J1X2Q/s914/IMG-20201211-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="914" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVgz2AB0qrIjGbfkM7ObsAPgTlZd_EQpAPXoKfEawfdKumnxpAMXMJuDlAp5gKzWl7e_7fB4JWefmhOBv7bL-LzPJqgi2PPLL5Sjsqbf4bjc38ordGu0HVsen7UjZMuZqeJt9n1J1X2Q/w640-h498/IMG-20201211-WA0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Isaac West</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 10 - Appleford Gravel Pit and Port Meadow, December.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGz6WFj-9oIzKrJOZr_jPrO1ET_SYQhiGPb4ZNi-vWHXaXy4AkfkA45sxtzsv5l2QKbCYV9r5H3FSk5pvzy_ja2YMbXQZOyWesleFakEnJxBnVnAb5HO_V3_gog731NMI43kof1Fk7bA/s600/_Casp_PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGz6WFj-9oIzKrJOZr_jPrO1ET_SYQhiGPb4ZNi-vWHXaXy4AkfkA45sxtzsv5l2QKbCYV9r5H3FSk5pvzy_ja2YMbXQZOyWesleFakEnJxBnVnAb5HO_V3_gog731NMI43kof1Fk7bA/w640-h518/_Casp_PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Meadow. Courtesy of Adam Hartley</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Bird 11 - Rainham Tip, December. This bird was originally found by Rich Bonser at Erith Pier in November - a beautiful advanced individual.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiVh47BxFW06LBJHAHEhNL3128jZ8T2u3-QMyHCCFCa-2J3mCDhZdRi5ox6dg6S8nGwGvXPMtZxvrgn-3Hr8gYhTB7Qa7yDy2BFtEn5beUZLGWPbaikniznUn6KC1LhpUot0Z-kvVcHU/s1920/VideoCapture_20201223-173927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiVh47BxFW06LBJHAHEhNL3128jZ8T2u3-QMyHCCFCa-2J3mCDhZdRi5ox6dg6S8nGwGvXPMtZxvrgn-3Hr8gYhTB7Qa7yDy2BFtEn5beUZLGWPbaikniznUn6KC1LhpUot0Z-kvVcHU/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201223-173927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipplLpQfB2krCopI8GcROSjj4PB3Y84JKJPh4clYmfGS9bWRnTLZRFFLchgtBGWNAHoZ9yDI6gqTVeZ6-KsZ6XXTL8pfMuvEsq-AWAYJYRugc6Xb_uCQeHLMrPbJOeksXVDE7APJbQzl8/s1920/VideoCapture_20201223-174847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipplLpQfB2krCopI8GcROSjj4PB3Y84JKJPh4clYmfGS9bWRnTLZRFFLchgtBGWNAHoZ9yDI6gqTVeZ6-KsZ6XXTL8pfMuvEsq-AWAYJYRugc6Xb_uCQeHLMrPbJOeksXVDE7APJbQzl8/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201223-174847.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With first-winter Yellow-legged gull in foreground<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 12 - Rainham Tip, December.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihorK2oeGYQLadhoPjABl4v_xCLkFyGAHfV07gvDK3s70ioqFy-3bguzPRT8kvLXP8HV3J7fHGe1_-udv5hU0uIZKwJBXj7h3B6miB8KXnAXLtgcHZwAso2nNmbnMfvehMXeEfBFzys4E/s1676/20201223_173715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1676" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihorK2oeGYQLadhoPjABl4v_xCLkFyGAHfV07gvDK3s70ioqFy-3bguzPRT8kvLXP8HV3J7fHGe1_-udv5hU0uIZKwJBXj7h3B6miB8KXnAXLtgcHZwAso2nNmbnMfvehMXeEfBFzys4E/w640-h360/20201223_173715.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 13 - Jolly Farmers, 26th December. Really nice, classic bird originally found by Rich Bonser.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eqiTq54IccCI2j9voSAwFZnBXtS0DxBEN6o2TJVjXi3qAW7luuYH_ACPmKMPbNa_eyPqLhCNrARkEMU-QFF-N9gEymQdZ6L0eQpffRRleYj6FYkNGIGIONYHL_X73Wbxc5Sr5SJf1T0/s1920/Eqfz27UWMAYdFUh.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eqiTq54IccCI2j9voSAwFZnBXtS0DxBEN6o2TJVjXi3qAW7luuYH_ACPmKMPbNa_eyPqLhCNrARkEMU-QFF-N9gEymQdZ6L0eQpffRRleYj6FYkNGIGIONYHL_X73Wbxc5Sr5SJf1T0/w640-h360/Eqfz27UWMAYdFUh.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 14 - Jolly Farmers, 26th December. Large and aggressive - also strangely dumpy-looking, with short legs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lhJnLKOS39zT4-7lk_dCJi-CYxA9WcrkcGdT5sUjbikdLi0sCFEv4Mq3IdUJa-RB2euS7axXaNxa2G04R8EnKFW3db0Ot5Y6PL7P7-Xu9TERPjSrcZ_L3TWn6V-RVwKHVYT5NQSb7pU/s1920/VideoCapture_20201226-140047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lhJnLKOS39zT4-7lk_dCJi-CYxA9WcrkcGdT5sUjbikdLi0sCFEv4Mq3IdUJa-RB2euS7axXaNxa2G04R8EnKFW3db0Ot5Y6PL7P7-Xu9TERPjSrcZ_L3TWn6V-RVwKHVYT5NQSb7pU/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201226-140047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSoVZAEDWuDYVXjzEB37Y-aBgKTTmYibgR-LQyU2S5DXo7orN0hAmz8NuORYXVlq3cA5xyFNBRk0r3SdxFcVyZzXnLP-MumksYdKIrXlMUCRZcMvuFtH25fpUeGfxzWci3FaOfYh8rYQ/s1920/VideoCapture_20201226-135726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSoVZAEDWuDYVXjzEB37Y-aBgKTTmYibgR-LQyU2S5DXo7orN0hAmz8NuORYXVlq3cA5xyFNBRk0r3SdxFcVyZzXnLP-MumksYdKIrXlMUCRZcMvuFtH25fpUeGfxzWci3FaOfYh8rYQ/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201226-135726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Bird 15 - Rainham Tip, 29th December. This dark, swarthy individual was initially picked out by Dante Shepherd - blunt bill, but otherwise classic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-I55EaM7abPFxhmGIfBaUPTgjApyvhNurLrfklVfS4fNNUyz0-cXaRNeErnl6JWsXuRXTCbH3WX1Gea6RTuVi1emaCOO70_PBqRASDOWGobbiNN59vlT0pr1Ol0W_yo_2Mh_blnIItqc/s1920/VideoCapture_20201229-132159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-I55EaM7abPFxhmGIfBaUPTgjApyvhNurLrfklVfS4fNNUyz0-cXaRNeErnl6JWsXuRXTCbH3WX1Gea6RTuVi1emaCOO70_PBqRASDOWGobbiNN59vlT0pr1Ol0W_yo_2Mh_blnIItqc/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201229-132159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt3J9T8RxJpnKMWUrbv5Qv7ZDQWmBuawD2ElTJAY7Cv3w76SXQy6rKbHzFCN7YRDMFJyiZF9KaChOp5h22u5HsAqCVt8Yl2EhuzJKM8RMcyFPzbmh52XkoBMP8Igx4rb6V9opR79GI9M/s1920/VideoCapture_20201229-132211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt3J9T8RxJpnKMWUrbv5Qv7ZDQWmBuawD2ElTJAY7Cv3w76SXQy6rKbHzFCN7YRDMFJyiZF9KaChOp5h22u5HsAqCVt8Yl2EhuzJKM8RMcyFPzbmh52XkoBMP8Igx4rb6V9opR79GI9M/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201229-132211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div>Bird 16 - Rainham Tip, 31st December. This bird has also been seen by others at Jolly Farmers. Has a really neat scapular pattern - dark centres with wonderful pale borders.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5X1aF6RwOblrHjI8hZCtsihUZ-25kad3QlNbyo6atohdiShRsm4w2WxxBmaiU0m4MX3XgDrHv1KFG1cWDseFKQPL6yKHCH4fiamgq3wRvbLeVcSlb89A4I_0uZvbKa8LpkUp_N08irI/s1920/VideoCapture_20201231-115941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5X1aF6RwOblrHjI8hZCtsihUZ-25kad3QlNbyo6atohdiShRsm4w2WxxBmaiU0m4MX3XgDrHv1KFG1cWDseFKQPL6yKHCH4fiamgq3wRvbLeVcSlb89A4I_0uZvbKa8LpkUp_N08irI/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201231-115941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LRefqf-xUhvCNVvLWIoxscxiXfZg5zgJJf_79Qno_KUT41Y_O6cwGdkdkIn5hyphenhyphenYyGqVq3ojDZkk77ufyf5VNg2mAFbJkg-7bYe1mxnahMj2CquoanU960-EXkx9pTnoRLTaqIL7r9F8/s1920/VideoCapture_20201231-115824.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LRefqf-xUhvCNVvLWIoxscxiXfZg5zgJJf_79Qno_KUT41Y_O6cwGdkdkIn5hyphenhyphenYyGqVq3ojDZkk77ufyf5VNg2mAFbJkg-7bYe1mxnahMj2CquoanU960-EXkx9pTnoRLTaqIL7r9F8/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201231-115824.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photobombed by a Common gull!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><b>Second-winters - 11 individuals</b><div><br /></div><div>Bird 1 - Erith Pier, 9th January.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVcpghxEi0DPe8bDvrQoXM42KL3PNdrbT8iF6s8eRsDaAe_w33n57blLZrDeMFTjvvyauoHaNhNXTL-OmmyNWD5fV1GRu4fHx2FZMxYdqW3WhflT0oa_cINBRPT9VRPQbCAX3LjvZKsM/s1125/EN3OGXjWAAYBMZk.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1125" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVcpghxEi0DPe8bDvrQoXM42KL3PNdrbT8iF6s8eRsDaAe_w33n57blLZrDeMFTjvvyauoHaNhNXTL-OmmyNWD5fV1GRu4fHx2FZMxYdqW3WhflT0oa_cINBRPT9VRPQbCAX3LjvZKsM/w640-h426/EN3OGXjWAAYBMZk.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 2 - Port Meadow, 23rd January.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjzI9OIVTeG2b56j5q_S2oXPjuwUYN57Abu6ACe-zk1_MI4pOhP9CJrdXwQBJKsRTekRTSx-_yQgV9wqMSv198ngmGByECCyqjYjGaqpwXiyAZlDSOl6U3PFjgD2EHJSHTfw1UqWsDr0/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2b69.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjzI9OIVTeG2b56j5q_S2oXPjuwUYN57Abu6ACe-zk1_MI4pOhP9CJrdXwQBJKsRTekRTSx-_yQgV9wqMSv198ngmGByECCyqjYjGaqpwXiyAZlDSOl6U3PFjgD2EHJSHTfw1UqWsDr0/w640-h360/fullsizeoutput_2b69.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 3 - Port Meadow, 12th February.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK30vD1dgTe8KMojfi4oiQT9Vn5zq-5vCng9z_nDN4IZb_eiHJZHuHcNncNcl-wqvw9lrfa40P73_QiIi0ajRHSicDVGrCHjoDXHcxm8ugQ7N-HpL_01tTQc4NdDE5ppcRx6EFNLWzkjE/s1920/EQmIH2fXkAADOIK.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK30vD1dgTe8KMojfi4oiQT9Vn5zq-5vCng9z_nDN4IZb_eiHJZHuHcNncNcl-wqvw9lrfa40P73_QiIi0ajRHSicDVGrCHjoDXHcxm8ugQ7N-HpL_01tTQc4NdDE5ppcRx6EFNLWzkjE/w640-h360/EQmIH2fXkAADOIK.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 4 - Port Meadow, 25th February.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYSssfBmcGL8oorNraHKx-mMYxvzDpI-xQihVa_hto1o3KrVJyeie1DeLi7J0zChcbUPKOGakivOyyyXt2hdUnbhNt0VqHWjT9LILex8b6CWBWp6AVah_6cwOaUNVoySwPpDzMVY4ktE/s1416/ERpCkezW4AE1Xb5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1416" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYSssfBmcGL8oorNraHKx-mMYxvzDpI-xQihVa_hto1o3KrVJyeie1DeLi7J0zChcbUPKOGakivOyyyXt2hdUnbhNt0VqHWjT9LILex8b6CWBWp6AVah_6cwOaUNVoySwPpDzMVY4ktE/w640-h480/ERpCkezW4AE1Xb5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlLOkSbxX02yUwP2NjvRgsooS_Y9zvFoi2DNq2dGEuW1SPzgc8EuZvyE7V0so9q2mHjxzFcgyDrxyDXql9EgIVWmQzXgptwb-BOsHTTJoVuEm0pxiFfUzR2GqL19I9EpskavLoMmrtmI/s1411/ERpCk7JWsAE2qYC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1411" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlLOkSbxX02yUwP2NjvRgsooS_Y9zvFoi2DNq2dGEuW1SPzgc8EuZvyE7V0so9q2mHjxzFcgyDrxyDXql9EgIVWmQzXgptwb-BOsHTTJoVuEm0pxiFfUzR2GqL19I9EpskavLoMmrtmI/w640-h480/ERpCk7JWsAE2qYC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 5 - Farmoor Reservoir, 1st October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi3HxIiLB-HIvJ0FF8XTPQxWIkyhtKogIhXBB1bmYKYIzCB4tbwiDlAMPSj0hWy6TI3EIIaWNg4JXPiqvHAslTOoaVT2BPdh-AZxHulPWR_zNttcShHJTEvZRRBwXhw4StKW33bBW9pQ/s1920/20201001_205655-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi3HxIiLB-HIvJ0FF8XTPQxWIkyhtKogIhXBB1bmYKYIzCB4tbwiDlAMPSj0hWy6TI3EIIaWNg4JXPiqvHAslTOoaVT2BPdh-AZxHulPWR_zNttcShHJTEvZRRBwXhw4StKW33bBW9pQ/w640-h360/20201001_205655-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 6 - Appleford Gravel Pit, October-November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi68TvYQArimvr-t9y9IR33bGJzXijAuXYM4U1x0pijsdyEBxac5tekbTYR5FT3pKaSGvr_ICslgXRUURo96i-MptTnlft5Z8EqrBU53Uw-ZSBXAtJiTjYuzExIeqTseMpIV1Hplxomu0/s1437/20201031_173055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1437" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi68TvYQArimvr-t9y9IR33bGJzXijAuXYM4U1x0pijsdyEBxac5tekbTYR5FT3pKaSGvr_ICslgXRUURo96i-MptTnlft5Z8EqrBU53Uw-ZSBXAtJiTjYuzExIeqTseMpIV1Hplxomu0/w640-h480/20201031_173055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU2cfpysFfbPKkHhF8FiG6kr0GIBaXy16QgIQ7o7j9ES9os2U6DxL1HsVT3sHXp9QqnS9_XfIHEK6DJWDnoEg_SLpsVkHGC5dUNdvmtoWVFdQxPc0RLfxFRWaeTtUGfJXRjhLqQa9INc/s1920/VideoCapture_20201029-172056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU2cfpysFfbPKkHhF8FiG6kr0GIBaXy16QgIQ7o7j9ES9os2U6DxL1HsVT3sHXp9QqnS9_XfIHEK6DJWDnoEg_SLpsVkHGC5dUNdvmtoWVFdQxPc0RLfxFRWaeTtUGfJXRjhLqQa9INc/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201029-172056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 7 - Port Meadow and Farmoor Reservoir, November-December. The same bird was also seen at Cassington Gravel Pit in November.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6p0gk1IBqqip2v-84QBYVBF_1Xbh5zSHgz6NFvGcVbCAIeDO5t2A1l6ek4t_f-e3xYis_Gmixkv22Ou9JOBYQICjzrObLVcmpRMd1da290dyP7gtzq3eY4Y76iAF1JK6gdtIYNKG_DU/s1920/EoKv8ctWEAUfvQ6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6p0gk1IBqqip2v-84QBYVBF_1Xbh5zSHgz6NFvGcVbCAIeDO5t2A1l6ek4t_f-e3xYis_Gmixkv22Ou9JOBYQICjzrObLVcmpRMd1da290dyP7gtzq3eY4Y76iAF1JK6gdtIYNKG_DU/w640-h360/EoKv8ctWEAUfvQ6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 8 - Appleford Gravel Pit, 10th December. This bird was also seen at Appleford in October by Ian Lewington.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-mkM59XUbOkdxZS2vr0MFpCqyAuhXuMq6TNqZ7f2AwFxQfgo_9dCV9KC0rpfEWMql23BrGjC1AWP5tMtF0xuyH_dEXLd40o7L7tRdOdx5DYXvSkGI-V3pF_FZ4hqbvU5eBTL2SqGSOw/s1920/Eo5bI3YW4AEDw6z-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-mkM59XUbOkdxZS2vr0MFpCqyAuhXuMq6TNqZ7f2AwFxQfgo_9dCV9KC0rpfEWMql23BrGjC1AWP5tMtF0xuyH_dEXLd40o7L7tRdOdx5DYXvSkGI-V3pF_FZ4hqbvU5eBTL2SqGSOw/w640-h360/Eo5bI3YW4AEDw6z-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 9 - Appleford Gravel Pit, 14th December. This bird was yellow-ringed but I couldn't read the code. Takes the "ugliest Casp of 2020" prize - I usually find that Casps have a subtle beauty about them, but not this guy... had nice P10 mirrors though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoslgnFzHAYrVXPNtIatBsR80zgR4eypoDis4sWyvhxg4kDOIr8vXme_RCDTnAm_v9LbYgy1z0Yf4r1AQUbWcQwefTqcl1C1grKzRRZzx6XfGExuNkq0lMGEEIKYQ-cHqQbQzeUJIhqg/s1920/EpNzkouXMAANKr1-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoslgnFzHAYrVXPNtIatBsR80zgR4eypoDis4sWyvhxg4kDOIr8vXme_RCDTnAm_v9LbYgy1z0Yf4r1AQUbWcQwefTqcl1C1grKzRRZzx6XfGExuNkq0lMGEEIKYQ-cHqQbQzeUJIhqg/w640-h360/EpNzkouXMAANKr1-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 10 - Appleford Gravel Pit, 17th December.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmR-D1dm26snV8VoRDSVItXa6b8Q7zoFddQAR8ncdDEjyQ92_DpoTGaL5lOt8UYRSghcBuvZO5AaLk7dnhku_NhyphenhyphenPe_mBiwcA2J5sTMy9Vbwb5i4Jt0_2HaODUcdob4VG-IghM-YAO3A/s1920/EpdZtNsW8AoR0Pv.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmR-D1dm26snV8VoRDSVItXa6b8Q7zoFddQAR8ncdDEjyQ92_DpoTGaL5lOt8UYRSghcBuvZO5AaLk7dnhku_NhyphenhyphenPe_mBiwcA2J5sTMy9Vbwb5i4Jt0_2HaODUcdob4VG-IghM-YAO3A/w640-h360/EpdZtNsW8AoR0Pv.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Bird 11 - Rainham Tip, 23rd December. Polish-ringed P:2K6. Full life history and sightings map below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReCqvGpeiQXdxC-h22X5A4i4Xn933tQTvVwVztsnzcFV1n5SbpVmQPGBt8LbGNDXZayJIVYfUmSiERkLQdgyRbQxSyz-4MRb3kpRfXJ3fgsu7Eidj0Zu8RXdwc0TNJIjuc1GZJAWngGQ/s1920/VideoCapture_20201223-151735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReCqvGpeiQXdxC-h22X5A4i4Xn933tQTvVwVztsnzcFV1n5SbpVmQPGBt8LbGNDXZayJIVYfUmSiERkLQdgyRbQxSyz-4MRb3kpRfXJ3fgsu7Eidj0Zu8RXdwc0TNJIjuc1GZJAWngGQ/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201223-151735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMw3OF-1fn6RH6M9TbCSBou-6cuzoZtB2sjSfc7czpN9w2wggB5ufhYG60jRwGY8U5i9CReSxmgGzgT_2LoRZFjPYRc2qK9U5pqMtFDS70JmUsnfg0L2iF8Uy8Ymd9elEZGC6m91sDZo/s1920/VideoCapture_20201223-174301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMw3OF-1fn6RH6M9TbCSBou-6cuzoZtB2sjSfc7czpN9w2wggB5ufhYG60jRwGY8U5i9CReSxmgGzgT_2LoRZFjPYRc2qK9U5pqMtFDS70JmUsnfg0L2iF8Uy8Ymd9elEZGC6m91sDZo/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201223-174301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhUHhjB7XG4MZPuznNmgA7E2_fSZZoe5VUtEfEKgSV75hXFuJIsTYesl2h0iBRek_ZyCv2-5fxOnjjYLocB4oI7HSjkr9CPhVSwLSMqhOeefjM1rWrU_CzCnkoMlOm0vpQ8NsNOsMPgY/s917/Screen+Shot+2020-12-28+at+14.19.39.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="917" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhUHhjB7XG4MZPuznNmgA7E2_fSZZoe5VUtEfEKgSV75hXFuJIsTYesl2h0iBRek_ZyCv2-5fxOnjjYLocB4oI7HSjkr9CPhVSwLSMqhOeefjM1rWrU_CzCnkoMlOm0vpQ8NsNOsMPgY/w640-h346/Screen+Shot+2020-12-28+at+14.19.39.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVKDt9IIZKa-M0nEYlp9tljpPj6cs0ficfIUgpw5Ni0H5p4wTR4aXT2zXEEzFFCIOKOCODwNorGAQuSWVKpqVEaKZ-i0H913OY4UynZHuGARCXzRHKbrT3xiG0AGfMZ5_4rcdW5xGra0/s919/Screen+Shot+2020-12-28+at+14.19.45.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="919" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVKDt9IIZKa-M0nEYlp9tljpPj6cs0ficfIUgpw5Ni0H5p4wTR4aXT2zXEEzFFCIOKOCODwNorGAQuSWVKpqVEaKZ-i0H913OY4UynZHuGARCXzRHKbrT3xiG0AGfMZ5_4rcdW5xGra0/w640-h236/Screen+Shot+2020-12-28+at+14.19.45.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Third-winters - 6 individuals</b><div><br /></div><div>Bird 1 - Port Meadow, 15th January</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVae6FXP6apctWQQmmRpIAFel2MVF83UOTfhlKub4a1o_t8HNvztKYPUchi431yfYHIFF_oBCru5f1iJRIpw4O2uNxAJ7rr2LAv5_S6WFjHOHRt6AZ4VtPKWir8rnEULSGX1eYjvtJxL4/s1600/VideoCapture_20200115-173749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVae6FXP6apctWQQmmRpIAFel2MVF83UOTfhlKub4a1o_t8HNvztKYPUchi431yfYHIFF_oBCru5f1iJRIpw4O2uNxAJ7rr2LAv5_S6WFjHOHRt6AZ4VtPKWir8rnEULSGX1eYjvtJxL4/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20200115-173749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Bird 2 - Appleford Gravel Pit and Port Meadow, January-February<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJJG_obe7GJIUQJh8NVkokBo1OPqjIub9lC_U_iUDRvT2NoMQy8ry8UxFW24LA4Tsj6-aXn8ksArrgNni_Ux4K1XZCG5FwbMQVSuNJ5FkDxiBwwZxh-uiH-4vT_in5gK1gryA2EKcJKk/s1600/20200124_180446.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJJG_obe7GJIUQJh8NVkokBo1OPqjIub9lC_U_iUDRvT2NoMQy8ry8UxFW24LA4Tsj6-aXn8ksArrgNni_Ux4K1XZCG5FwbMQVSuNJ5FkDxiBwwZxh-uiH-4vT_in5gK1gryA2EKcJKk/w640-h640/20200124_180446.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleford</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 3 - Port Meadow, 1st February. This bird was picked out by Adam Hartley whilst we were doing the roost.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagTS3Z5jBxPFt0rO3NQjWnvCOyRaMIrxLV2FiOJyukGj9jmU2eOV8mJy0T1GP7TxBe-mmthajpzpo1seB4Heu5sXSni_1WGbGZ7cwie0fcHBUgq_nE8a3HSSNvK9zkQRzQvl5uY0H5ng/s1600/20200201_175238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagTS3Z5jBxPFt0rO3NQjWnvCOyRaMIrxLV2FiOJyukGj9jmU2eOV8mJy0T1GP7TxBe-mmthajpzpo1seB4Heu5sXSni_1WGbGZ7cwie0fcHBUgq_nE8a3HSSNvK9zkQRzQvl5uY0H5ng/w640-h360/20200201_175238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyHETV98hVQth0a0pNXLApycVEM-DNk58pliIlwYmSzuWGETpFvzP2-GTfOsGAZjvKoX9GAldCLd_FR2gZcpf96pMYsPAu_yYcctgWyc59FJwdUaLb8EwWSzjEPV9gLVGnEdxLZZiqBE/s1600/Primary+Pattern.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyHETV98hVQth0a0pNXLApycVEM-DNk58pliIlwYmSzuWGETpFvzP2-GTfOsGAZjvKoX9GAldCLd_FR2gZcpf96pMYsPAu_yYcctgWyc59FJwdUaLb8EwWSzjEPV9gLVGnEdxLZZiqBE/w640-h324/Primary+Pattern.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparison of primary pattern between birds 2 and 3. Note that bird 2 has a tiny mirror on P9.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 4 - Appleford Gravel Pit and Port Meadow, October-December.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXzIW_wqkM9ktv3TbbPf_xnGUzFzPBkffgdMWthC-0TuRi3aGSYBnFMMs67g2qVNP-vNFB8c4ytY6s-k0019_90pqQbe01_sbHqMHFEtWsL4Z3e6yWXdeP7bEwNH1OJjj1aqoK4HSEb4/s1920/EkxRX7eXgAEusz8-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXzIW_wqkM9ktv3TbbPf_xnGUzFzPBkffgdMWthC-0TuRi3aGSYBnFMMs67g2qVNP-vNFB8c4ytY6s-k0019_90pqQbe01_sbHqMHFEtWsL4Z3e6yWXdeP7bEwNH1OJjj1aqoK4HSEb4/w640-h360/EkxRX7eXgAEusz8-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleford, October</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7E8kaBDPQbSj76asHH8W7h6TTgyK7gLBMqKxJkEAQtOER-eCVQGPyeTzTHkIhpN7aP7GPcn7SlbtDRx6n3wgY9zFQcA8Y1_Ws0xrdZ6Gok2AExVfaR1kWcKb63-upUtuyYeJ58tYwU9Y/s1920/EpdZsy2W8AIkVy0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7E8kaBDPQbSj76asHH8W7h6TTgyK7gLBMqKxJkEAQtOER-eCVQGPyeTzTHkIhpN7aP7GPcn7SlbtDRx6n3wgY9zFQcA8Y1_Ws0xrdZ6Gok2AExVfaR1kWcKb63-upUtuyYeJ58tYwU9Y/w640-h360/EpdZsy2W8AIkVy0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleford, December</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 5 - Appleford Gravel Pit, 28th November. Quite retarded with retained median coverts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaqwoZMtfVBj1iAxY8urqJxq83gFrLARFW_xOoV-kAVZeQUUF87d6XS6v8yKGaQydzbF-Jx_cTea4x9hmn4QkmVeirE4GdqEF4vIcPJBD7jKxWKhEq9yBXAmuMgqBfKEsvR4D5_41vWw/s1438/En6t6t4XIAYdQnz.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1438" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaqwoZMtfVBj1iAxY8urqJxq83gFrLARFW_xOoV-kAVZeQUUF87d6XS6v8yKGaQydzbF-Jx_cTea4x9hmn4QkmVeirE4GdqEF4vIcPJBD7jKxWKhEq9yBXAmuMgqBfKEsvR4D5_41vWw/w640-h480/En6t6t4XIAYdQnz.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 6 - Appleford Gravel Pit, December. This is an interesting bird, I have not seen a third-winter with such extensive P10 tongues before.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1LW2cVWbwr1WFRXmwd9mDS0kzVZ4b8xyVgIoK2rSiAiVphMcwxupqg3hUeiOC-HJsDTiy5mODq2AobGj_AbDV3pq20vhaBEf9cx_ztTHHCIJYH-gDKWdDjPAUM1eQDex-21xUPR99-s/s1920/VideoCapture_20201210-180950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1LW2cVWbwr1WFRXmwd9mDS0kzVZ4b8xyVgIoK2rSiAiVphMcwxupqg3hUeiOC-HJsDTiy5mODq2AobGj_AbDV3pq20vhaBEf9cx_ztTHHCIJYH-gDKWdDjPAUM1eQDex-21xUPR99-s/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201210-180950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeYfpqEmI-FodQ0w74aHMvA9VwTN0DHdnTMlmMBEjqO1NhPZpSk10_MLiq95PtJhLx2OjgdB7DyWWEUPSvpDoHW2NLcBytfRWwWYq1sPaEeW1wigxV0bNoBBza34_lorTWLVZrsUYr4k/s1920/VideoCapture_20201217-170236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeYfpqEmI-FodQ0w74aHMvA9VwTN0DHdnTMlmMBEjqO1NhPZpSk10_MLiq95PtJhLx2OjgdB7DyWWEUPSvpDoHW2NLcBytfRWwWYq1sPaEeW1wigxV0bNoBBza34_lorTWLVZrsUYr4k/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201217-170236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkAx22x2yHy8X8RWpQuzAqdsD_1nbL8lV0KRi7SJLk6YvYLFude0JZmH_1LIFLV3W2fgdU6vglXKjvcazrZ4fYDICpNLoJgAtORSisi-Xfj-73PM_4sWvsfTozWXGcO-co9ZY399njI0/s1008/Comaprison.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="1008" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkAx22x2yHy8X8RWpQuzAqdsD_1nbL8lV0KRi7SJLk6YvYLFude0JZmH_1LIFLV3W2fgdU6vglXKjvcazrZ4fYDICpNLoJgAtORSisi-Xfj-73PM_4sWvsfTozWXGcO-co9ZY399njI0/w640-h320/Comaprison.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have wondered if this bird is the same as second-winter bird 4, returning to Oxfordshire for a another winter... there is something very familiar about the thin, wasted bill, punched-in face, pattern of neck and head streaking, dark mantle shade etc. Without a single diagnostic feature it's hard to be sure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Fourth-winters - two individuals</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 1 - Appleford Gravel Pit and Farmoor, November-December. This bird was first seen at Didcot Landfill by Ian Lewington a couple weeks before I first saw it at Appleford. Large bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlvx0-WE9IKI6PI9xhV153MPZ3aR7axG3ORhZV35xFA82mtaxhNUx5MTxhbh4z3q9pk7vBU4DUE8DcyaEXHTZj0CC_ju9uVpUZNKcp0YR2LcLpsdS-k-X2oXKncAvqBm3FNs_LyLtbA8/s1920/En7X9EyW4AgW7k8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlvx0-WE9IKI6PI9xhV153MPZ3aR7axG3ORhZV35xFA82mtaxhNUx5MTxhbh4z3q9pk7vBU4DUE8DcyaEXHTZj0CC_ju9uVpUZNKcp0YR2LcLpsdS-k-X2oXKncAvqBm3FNs_LyLtbA8/w640-h360/En7X9EyW4AgW7k8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsvl-OG27QqQ3sZHr50Da4jGUswq_EfVVHxJeYaqlf9GZNlPjXB3hWZSsv2Yk4qyL8mM0Hqqw1U0oHrfyYNwZLR1Y2NLB8hcQNF1OB1XHITT7rAyCfTsMjbMsjhnVO3A0xISe7Haf63U/s1920/En7X9sRW8AEvxls.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsvl-OG27QqQ3sZHr50Da4jGUswq_EfVVHxJeYaqlf9GZNlPjXB3hWZSsv2Yk4qyL8mM0Hqqw1U0oHrfyYNwZLR1Y2NLB8hcQNF1OB1XHITT7rAyCfTsMjbMsjhnVO3A0xISe7Haf63U/w640-h360/En7X9sRW8AEvxls.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmoor</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Bird 2 - Appleford, 17th December.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpbHfwX4LzOMYkPRh-MQoa1NqbKCZwlwtsTM8ogwk_U80Rg1Lr6ICbxnXqT5_kAh8MOatqFoL_AY64bL16SO_u8JqSbzcTBARwe6ahBsX4xSl4p6pQ2pueWe2BFp4CLPEee-HIMxmtps/s1920/EpdZs-hW4AM3nIi.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpbHfwX4LzOMYkPRh-MQoa1NqbKCZwlwtsTM8ogwk_U80Rg1Lr6ICbxnXqT5_kAh8MOatqFoL_AY64bL16SO_u8JqSbzcTBARwe6ahBsX4xSl4p6pQ2pueWe2BFp4CLPEee-HIMxmtps/w640-h360/EpdZs-hW4AM3nIi.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Adults - 9 individuals</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 1 - Port Meadow, January-February. Small, thin-billed bird - presumably a female.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiditC-x5qCDJUhKp-ZdzgrWHHHLDR9wHS_jvTsuuOElIXPESDta8hMln7Okc0Ya8xAtxyFfMEK191CTtWzqlQig6ZYJOz7QZxdZTjtJl0SktUHBT6cZwzvo477hDjx5SEeYvzKAjk7I7s/s1920/EPY1wDjWoAA6MLP.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiditC-x5qCDJUhKp-ZdzgrWHHHLDR9wHS_jvTsuuOElIXPESDta8hMln7Okc0Ya8xAtxyFfMEK191CTtWzqlQig6ZYJOz7QZxdZTjtJl0SktUHBT6cZwzvo477hDjx5SEeYvzKAjk7I7s/w640-h360/EPY1wDjWoAA6MLP.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5a4ljE2Bd5_cM5H8LvBqQmEYb7xCq5JL6M8J3XWfflhGT-UjI-kevVvmaAtk_Sr8c7zixk8FSQHZubrHDf_9iergOS6M5-XUqWuszTivVT_w8QJZtS_CLN2TIbl93gF1QT2dCuM0aBM/s1920/EPY1whaX0AY7OUr.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5a4ljE2Bd5_cM5H8LvBqQmEYb7xCq5JL6M8J3XWfflhGT-UjI-kevVvmaAtk_Sr8c7zixk8FSQHZubrHDf_9iergOS6M5-XUqWuszTivVT_w8QJZtS_CLN2TIbl93gF1QT2dCuM0aBM/w640-h360/EPY1whaX0AY7OUr.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Bird 2 - Appleford fields, January-February. Green-ringed bird, but failed to read the ring on the two occasions I saw it. Quite a prominent gonys on this bird - male?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMGdOIACGPzUy1UezfmhpevuvJQZ3pFGJr19aZedll-iVIY7iV47Ij-Gw3lKRLcGDyMiXSV7XRDNQE8OLfKuo98Kle92U896ob0f1D8erZS4gvmICkCAOx-lG2O4qfFGjZEn9VDG3C3o/s1920/EPdv_a2WkAMOu5D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMGdOIACGPzUy1UezfmhpevuvJQZ3pFGJr19aZedll-iVIY7iV47Ij-Gw3lKRLcGDyMiXSV7XRDNQE8OLfKuo98Kle92U896ob0f1D8erZS4gvmICkCAOx-lG2O4qfFGjZEn9VDG3C3o/w640-h360/EPdv_a2WkAMOu5D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNfG7JT2j4KKOTT2n0pl7S-TKw3dDA1ahefM64sp318sRpaFy48D3eRvNKnCDsSLDqEbWsv3SUFXeLZfDUXl8eaFfCc67DIs646QEwhsMnpGQtLpZiA8MzaWeuBpDEwxsyrLUFxMBKts/s1920/EPdwADJXUAArj-e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNfG7JT2j4KKOTT2n0pl7S-TKw3dDA1ahefM64sp318sRpaFy48D3eRvNKnCDsSLDqEbWsv3SUFXeLZfDUXl8eaFfCc67DIs646QEwhsMnpGQtLpZiA8MzaWeuBpDEwxsyrLUFxMBKts/w640-h360/EPdwADJXUAArj-e.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Bird 3 - Didcot Landfill, 7th February.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO0zrnW675RdnBp3QNEVkIqqx-KZAA1xNOVDPlJTw9lHtfovPcxdFtQrDK09dZDNjcVUnMfpHrZfxd8RhxyaEOfVclLjfi_E-ZyhtxtszxYwLzxX9NaViWJbt_QBbTfXhYJbM3TGEZm4/s1920/EQMBW6eXsAYPy-j.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO0zrnW675RdnBp3QNEVkIqqx-KZAA1xNOVDPlJTw9lHtfovPcxdFtQrDK09dZDNjcVUnMfpHrZfxd8RhxyaEOfVclLjfi_E-ZyhtxtszxYwLzxX9NaViWJbt_QBbTfXhYJbM3TGEZm4/w640-h360/EQMBW6eXsAYPy-j.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Bird 4 - Farmoor Reservoir, 10th November. This bird had some dark subterminal markings on the bill, but I couldn't detect any signs of immaturity in the plumage that might indicate a fourth-winter. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bOhzk7srLrfEplRCOMRynSej7ygWgxGN2PgEHpu2q2AXnN2Y8TZRSutbPziYaRwPPerdbSuww9uYDpG02ca8fbmtmApWEmIxuq4C4GMIAqSTOO_PxfOwlmv5uKXpateQQ2xU3864Scs/s2048/EmemaxPW8AIcH5r-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bOhzk7srLrfEplRCOMRynSej7ygWgxGN2PgEHpu2q2AXnN2Y8TZRSutbPziYaRwPPerdbSuww9uYDpG02ca8fbmtmApWEmIxuq4C4GMIAqSTOO_PxfOwlmv5uKXpateQQ2xU3864Scs/w640-h640/EmemaxPW8AIcH5r-2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White arrow indicates tongues on underside of primaries - note that P9 is folded over P10</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Bird 5 - Appleford Gravel Pit, December.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjAf9M37hD_afDkBcni5fopg6iQEhYlUwLZraC9qPGGilEuqMZ0XbvEBEkum7aRQBSKq1yw6Q4K8CgSeX8V7nRbsKalslkzAFf9jpIrOCAXb_OyDFJVLaO1WDjexB2cV5P_DLNPqGUu0/s1920/Eo5ZMZ5W8A43fyl.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjAf9M37hD_afDkBcni5fopg6iQEhYlUwLZraC9qPGGilEuqMZ0XbvEBEkum7aRQBSKq1yw6Q4K8CgSeX8V7nRbsKalslkzAFf9jpIrOCAXb_OyDFJVLaO1WDjexB2cV5P_DLNPqGUu0/w640-h360/Eo5ZMZ5W8A43fyl.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeaYqaxzOIJiNDSF7MUsmPzk3l8qlq__4bqTeNwHvQl5mqLW1aiKsTqlMEnqPxKnKv0vSHLrU7kW5_7-GGv0nmfUV354940oEQrLg8LtZCjVsEkdieeXYrgaHc7Dai85X3b5WFWrcfkg/s1920/Eo5ZMvcW8BME6pA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeaYqaxzOIJiNDSF7MUsmPzk3l8qlq__4bqTeNwHvQl5mqLW1aiKsTqlMEnqPxKnKv0vSHLrU7kW5_7-GGv0nmfUV354940oEQrLg8LtZCjVsEkdieeXYrgaHc7Dai85X3b5WFWrcfkg/w640-h360/Eo5ZMvcW8BME6pA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 6 - Appleford Gravel Pit, December. Also seen by others at Didcot Landfill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac_J0K54-3McxBmr4hgaYv6Bc9pE106TLKcUCze82iW5HTnRtsuGHnTOU95XHfNBFpQd3kvK6fjNuJmBn4ty4DeXgRSINiAGAmQbB5KWYYK8SvE-56fE0hVzpR4dYmg5qwsmklxtrYOs/s1920/VideoCapture_20201225-094107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac_J0K54-3McxBmr4hgaYv6Bc9pE106TLKcUCze82iW5HTnRtsuGHnTOU95XHfNBFpQd3kvK6fjNuJmBn4ty4DeXgRSINiAGAmQbB5KWYYK8SvE-56fE0hVzpR4dYmg5qwsmklxtrYOs/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201225-094107.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleford</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kcb8XbxFsFBltwGq1ORo8wEnTNcFrJeuc0GwBO4TBpH8qqBGpn3voLXdszGLYxi7nFQ9CxBXwTk11D-G9i8NHorv2cO_H3PaZ5F-ArBmY8iPKdgsLAkL8ViaVt11EoN-8VcD3EvHzbY/s1524/Caspian+Gull+191220+197t.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1524" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kcb8XbxFsFBltwGq1ORo8wEnTNcFrJeuc0GwBO4TBpH8qqBGpn3voLXdszGLYxi7nFQ9CxBXwTk11D-G9i8NHorv2cO_H3PaZ5F-ArBmY8iPKdgsLAkL8ViaVt11EoN-8VcD3EvHzbY/w640-h428/Caspian+Gull+191220+197t.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didcot. Courtesy of Roger Wyatt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 7 - Rainham Tip, 21st December. With injured face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfonWmOKhvnOQ5P2c1HEL_KM0w3qAs49hkYlft0l-UTnqPahLUZaTwIpMNi5H3mTZRouWffKX3p8NaG3Kagp0V-aMsxG0Y8zjcRA8wEZWXmXLipdGxi4XAKzmxzMabkCYaJwsmRkdJCos/s1920/EpxvIIDW4AANFNs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfonWmOKhvnOQ5P2c1HEL_KM0w3qAs49hkYlft0l-UTnqPahLUZaTwIpMNi5H3mTZRouWffKX3p8NaG3Kagp0V-aMsxG0Y8zjcRA8wEZWXmXLipdGxi4XAKzmxzMabkCYaJwsmRkdJCos/w640-h360/EpxvIIDW4AANFNs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 8 - Rainham Tip, 22nd December. Perhaps slightly more black than one would expect on P10, but although it never gave a wing flap I can just about see the tip of the white tongue poking out from underneath the tertials, and was a classic Casp in every other respect.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-9j_u8saBzrtr17SZ4NItjhqAjV-Vyr6VFMfK_kE85ozIf3F4k_SZ5i08K8I6oQ6L8KAQC90k-4LpZxOs9VnoFv8RyDe4HmPKrIshseFCTpLKMjKsG1lnRcNltQGywLQkjfbwIBgUgY/s1920/VideoCapture_20201222-230210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-9j_u8saBzrtr17SZ4NItjhqAjV-Vyr6VFMfK_kE85ozIf3F4k_SZ5i08K8I6oQ6L8KAQC90k-4LpZxOs9VnoFv8RyDe4HmPKrIshseFCTpLKMjKsG1lnRcNltQGywLQkjfbwIBgUgY/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201222-230210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Bird 9 - Rainham Tip, December.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC_dRIHrPK_A3SHNg3zYWNsJQFyQm1HCJb01X5SmQA70ji9_XHURrjlkRLdsRkhny0W_K2yRrBcD_1CeLqXbsFNhsnBh5Kki09Ss8k9lGr5RWU83Dn41f6WFkvsKHjhLfTgLC4rwspHE/s1920/VideoCapture_20201222-142625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC_dRIHrPK_A3SHNg3zYWNsJQFyQm1HCJb01X5SmQA70ji9_XHURrjlkRLdsRkhny0W_K2yRrBcD_1CeLqXbsFNhsnBh5Kki09Ss8k9lGr5RWU83Dn41f6WFkvsKHjhLfTgLC4rwspHE/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201222-142625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6fEq02LRTa_UgjeoFiNRc0r5rV19nS3ojc3u1NUKBcXocDhQRLZ_rdXC5ofm6NJCFgJfXLOMTgTGzuEnLtI99Y3gOcECnJGCowTTVBdsyrJmeNZYaWkHwRDTuayvgKlBVIBwwHtcWk8/s1920/VideoCapture_20201222-142311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6fEq02LRTa_UgjeoFiNRc0r5rV19nS3ojc3u1NUKBcXocDhQRLZ_rdXC5ofm6NJCFgJfXLOMTgTGzuEnLtI99Y3gOcECnJGCowTTVBdsyrJmeNZYaWkHwRDTuayvgKlBVIBwwHtcWk8/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201222-142311.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">Non-classic birds - 12 individuals</h2><div><br /></div>The following birds are not classic individuals, but I've included them here to take into account the clinal variation in Caspian gull which exists across its range. At the edges of their range, gulls invariably hybridise with neighbouring populations - in the case of Caspian gulls, this produces marked phenotypic differences from East to West. Eastern birds, in the intergrade zone with Steppe gull, produce darker adults with more black in the primaries, whilst Western birds inevitably contain some Herring gull genes. This is particularly obvious in first-winter birds, with birds from these colonies tending to have slight chequering to the greater coverts, more Herring-like patterns on their scapulars, slight streaking on the head (although still whiter than Herring gulls) and a darker underwing. Second-winter birds tend to be missing the P10 mirror found in most Caspian gulls at this age, combined with a structure more reminiscent of Herring gull. It's worth noting that all of these features could theoretically be seen in pure birds - Caspian gull is, after all, as variable as any other large gull. The birds shown below are not obviously F1 hybrids (i.e. birds with one Herring parent and one Caspian parent), but are borderline individuals that are mostly Caspian with potentially a bit of Herring in there somewhere down the line, or maybe pure individuals that aren't safely identifiable from this hybrid swarm in a UK context.<div><br /></div><div><b>First-winters - 10 individuals</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 1 - Port Meadow, January-February. OK-looking, but mucky underwing and a bit of a Herring-y expression.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi4vHNbAvWVvkaEikJymOhRmYl-r8Cc1GD__vyx-AHAo5zaMhO8K-soD721qbzLuXlHzqkXFRDH-UssRVTtn1mGYZzTItYnZhmO-Ij7XmkGNhGt7P-_Fb062eX6FeZpjUTpWyY7ug8JM/s1390/20201225_112445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1390" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi4vHNbAvWVvkaEikJymOhRmYl-r8Cc1GD__vyx-AHAo5zaMhO8K-soD721qbzLuXlHzqkXFRDH-UssRVTtn1mGYZzTItYnZhmO-Ij7XmkGNhGt7P-_Fb062eX6FeZpjUTpWyY7ug8JM/w640-h480/20201225_112445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQA5tFaU5T0ByHIzQOsHFwupbyy9RTAjXxHnPcbEKN17ZgtZI9TC4TEYRS19ubrxl48ReWk33thcgnS5b3KfbP4Y9zGo9I80ieG4zBty_ajdWFIYiwQMNr4qhPCekCETw3gVEyTzTcHU/s1396/20201225_112458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1396" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQA5tFaU5T0ByHIzQOsHFwupbyy9RTAjXxHnPcbEKN17ZgtZI9TC4TEYRS19ubrxl48ReWk33thcgnS5b3KfbP4Y9zGo9I80ieG4zBty_ajdWFIYiwQMNr4qhPCekCETw3gVEyTzTcHU/w640-h480/20201225_112458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlNMdHAgLkuNakH96CTuv88P4m6Mt9wuddIP85TFxeNn1kLSuETMXB_WjV8B7Foqq6B7hY_MnR8l08Zh03mQvrn8kozBCsZn9MksANgjJnEORDtrNRj1SqqK8bTqZocX6dxF5Xxq-cIs/s1362/20201225_112523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1362" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlNMdHAgLkuNakH96CTuv88P4m6Mt9wuddIP85TFxeNn1kLSuETMXB_WjV8B7Foqq6B7hY_MnR8l08Zh03mQvrn8kozBCsZn9MksANgjJnEORDtrNRj1SqqK8bTqZocX6dxF5Xxq-cIs/w640-h480/20201225_112523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Bird 2 - Port Meadow, 27th February. A bit worse than the above bird, note residual head streaking, short bill and heavy anchor markings on the scapulars. But still the Casp facial expression is there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGjaKaH_KYQ30kfvdLY8Rr03epBjjLONBOSxH9iFV8vsMEu8tp2fC4qfwFbZV7liGV2KRmdjGzULopv7yXCJPgRjgv4k8CCJMDGakXp_jCBarJYmK3qwjCI9rna-uKaRSYjCkRclTRS8/s923/20200226_200607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="923" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGjaKaH_KYQ30kfvdLY8Rr03epBjjLONBOSxH9iFV8vsMEu8tp2fC4qfwFbZV7liGV2KRmdjGzULopv7yXCJPgRjgv4k8CCJMDGakXp_jCBarJYmK3qwjCI9rna-uKaRSYjCkRclTRS8/w640-h480/20200226_200607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Bird 3 - Appleford Gravel Pit, September. Polish-ringed P:UM8 - I only saw this bird briefly and failed to obtain any photos but luckily Ian Lewington saw it well at Didcot Landfill. Note mucky underwing and head, together with greater covert chequering.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK1MpCtDWjyXI4kVzSDZgAJIe8RQdQXf6Wt12nlF7OVjGpjPExsTqVycb50bGu8pulRtkJvsdLc6THeaa-9Cukqlp4_NaBvGyyyHJ16HlubRFlkNTgCIBIiekGvMdDAPPEykywmZi1R0/s640/Gull260820Img_4859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK1MpCtDWjyXI4kVzSDZgAJIe8RQdQXf6Wt12nlF7OVjGpjPExsTqVycb50bGu8pulRtkJvsdLc6THeaa-9Cukqlp4_NaBvGyyyHJ16HlubRFlkNTgCIBIiekGvMdDAPPEykywmZi1R0/w640-h480/Gull260820Img_4859.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Ian Lewington</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YI3zRadpFObGjuftmeRxI_Ic_A9VaJkKPd7MWxK9bjWfJKJRW1v7OhanUTQKbx3arjVKfuDmqiSkuVorzfQWMGISNsCIR7Nlgd4PWXt1SaVU9k-2A3PZ24tJkv6-m73sWUDbMQhsUDQ/s2048/Gull260820Img_2168.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2048" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YI3zRadpFObGjuftmeRxI_Ic_A9VaJkKPd7MWxK9bjWfJKJRW1v7OhanUTQKbx3arjVKfuDmqiSkuVorzfQWMGISNsCIR7Nlgd4PWXt1SaVU9k-2A3PZ24tJkv6-m73sWUDbMQhsUDQ/w640-h446/Gull260820Img_2168.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Ian Lewington</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Bird 4 - Appleford Gravel Pit, October. This bird had perfect Casp wings with a great white underwing, advanced moult, nice tertials, but Herring-like scapulars, and slight head streaking. Also seen by Ian Lewington at Didcot Landfill.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTBKLrqrkdvpMfMq7lKAgjJixUJqFn7VPBIlxcudMU8Noh9AfH7TiQXbhLfEURd0xDNqqBVGcRxpyBRdLGdiNetUIkKC-yUUdFkDmzLiJSiZDJktRrH7LcSw3aKfUq11HLdaIp4S4GDk/s1920/VideoCapture_20201017-160036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTBKLrqrkdvpMfMq7lKAgjJixUJqFn7VPBIlxcudMU8Noh9AfH7TiQXbhLfEURd0xDNqqBVGcRxpyBRdLGdiNetUIkKC-yUUdFkDmzLiJSiZDJktRrH7LcSw3aKfUq11HLdaIp4S4GDk/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201017-160036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleford</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 5 - Farmoor Reservoir, 9th November. I've included this bird here simply because at 500m range and in the failing light it was impossible to rule out a hybrid. It was clearly a Caspian-type gull - it looked OK and had an interesting bill deformity with crossed-over tips. Really small round head as well. From these blurry images the ends of the greater coverts seem to have quite a bit of white on them, but still a clear brown band at the base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMSKkv9FtPUAwP7zd6hCmzYou-V9vxsw3243dYsk_nqqKQomTGQY5Tqza3TsgpU6LoTus9-hcM2Kqd8P9oeLqE1Z78BPSVEytdEi-g9D8_jT5WKRMnXAgzuj3yPJkB9_oNChxkJEEWnE/s688/EmZwwi1XEAMDGoN.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="688" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMSKkv9FtPUAwP7zd6hCmzYou-V9vxsw3243dYsk_nqqKQomTGQY5Tqza3TsgpU6LoTus9-hcM2Kqd8P9oeLqE1Z78BPSVEytdEi-g9D8_jT5WKRMnXAgzuj3yPJkB9_oNChxkJEEWnE/w640-h360/EmZwwi1XEAMDGoN.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 6 - Erith Pier, 20th December. Really good Casp plumage, but that head/bill combo is a bit off-putting. Also seen by Jamie Partridge at Rainham Landfill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW67m7EgyBqKRipj_8qSy-wOXe8UHAgUpvDnmMjjvG2H6V3LJUz28VmzLzeMBa9dfWFMcPw0haIuouAUZI8gf2YVjI61e6UbqF6Vuda9TOpnhY6YdFdoYp6kBOSQU1kovghbEM-wOAcc/s1920/VideoCapture_20201220-151304.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW67m7EgyBqKRipj_8qSy-wOXe8UHAgUpvDnmMjjvG2H6V3LJUz28VmzLzeMBa9dfWFMcPw0haIuouAUZI8gf2YVjI61e6UbqF6Vuda9TOpnhY6YdFdoYp6kBOSQU1kovghbEM-wOAcc/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201220-151304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 7 - Rainham Tip, 21st December. Again "fine", but quite a dark head, bit of greater covert chequering...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_6Pczs6T7wtt3zSj7KFGRe7tyEDpDZ9-KQ9SiqC4-5bkC26OAN4rWFZb7TN5rzru7P0aZWXG-vuNYOrk5oJ-o2z-nAQIXgRuT1CHgLeGKJ7xYHOP_Sv3n8NG82NQ-7x2IV6MuSHNpic/s1920/20201221_160352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_6Pczs6T7wtt3zSj7KFGRe7tyEDpDZ9-KQ9SiqC4-5bkC26OAN4rWFZb7TN5rzru7P0aZWXG-vuNYOrk5oJ-o2z-nAQIXgRuT1CHgLeGKJ7xYHOP_Sv3n8NG82NQ-7x2IV6MuSHNpic/w640-h360/20201221_160352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 8 - Rainham Tip, 21st December. Looked a bit better than this in the field, but still really borderline. Heavily bleached already.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGhhggznblZHxK6fbrbFno4nxsd5Dr-9n0-lQwZKiG5VSB7GGD5heg0x_zi0G0j6nArqyICnwJlfFGn-L4nwlzdhrrN7ue_aCr0le0IX36sSyYL2pO62bXo7AMrqtAJV5Ce7ZZXhfRpA/s1920/20201221_160406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGhhggznblZHxK6fbrbFno4nxsd5Dr-9n0-lQwZKiG5VSB7GGD5heg0x_zi0G0j6nArqyICnwJlfFGn-L4nwlzdhrrN7ue_aCr0le0IX36sSyYL2pO62bXo7AMrqtAJV5Ce7ZZXhfRpA/w640-h360/20201221_160406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 9 - Rainham Tip, 22nd December. Nice advanced covert and tertial moult, but short bill and a slightly streaky head. Bill at least manages to be quite thin and pointy, and again note the Casp facial expression.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVF3v3kRSQ_-pEgpdA70KfzVh2RCvapzKdXAD1hRZt7gNovop65KW5CYhsy1HtWH4s4fiKwgZRJ-XP2UNP1kpQ8YabgW-0UpbHoIcu71Hw_kuYUpPiIoHkzCzaHOvuQXju-sDwjef33Y/s1920/VideoCapture_20201222-125422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVF3v3kRSQ_-pEgpdA70KfzVh2RCvapzKdXAD1hRZt7gNovop65KW5CYhsy1HtWH4s4fiKwgZRJ-XP2UNP1kpQ8YabgW-0UpbHoIcu71Hw_kuYUpPiIoHkzCzaHOvuQXju-sDwjef33Y/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201222-125422.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bird 10 - Rainham Tip, 31st December. Another advanced bird. Didn't really get a good look at it hence why it's going in this section. Looked nice - the greater coverts have some chequering and I can't see a solid brown base to the feathers, but probably within variation. Hard to call birds as distant as this, especially without seeing them fly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9k88HKd2MAkdi8n69mkoaMju4RE7Izdlv6OprkHSn1nAvG0UlL-5jB_urDMB54SzJEFCKa5Dt8Gi2RuN-mGXEAUZui4AhXaSpfZU0hOfuv2aV4jiQ7oL8jUF1ZxIGllVCbuVFAL5IipM/s1920/VideoCapture_20201231-114046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9k88HKd2MAkdi8n69mkoaMju4RE7Izdlv6OprkHSn1nAvG0UlL-5jB_urDMB54SzJEFCKa5Dt8Gi2RuN-mGXEAUZui4AhXaSpfZU0hOfuv2aV4jiQ7oL8jUF1ZxIGllVCbuVFAL5IipM/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201231-114046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Second-winters - 1 individual</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Port Meadow, January. A puzzling bird, with very good plumage (though a bit of residual head streaking) including a nice P10 mirror, but the structure seems totally wrong and it didn't really give a Casp feel. The bill was tiny. Maybe it's a small female Caspian gull, or a hybrid with... what exactly?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3Yj-KpGYjQMzoYu5DMWVgsRJ2RthhSRSnAvxBpBXpate-XGMv3uyGhuOAT-i3eLwQZd6DpaqeKX6jHYe86yLxSOlktZMk48a2HJo44Xhwb9990tktzr1KLiaylDdjWgaDlZwLW12YfA/s1920/VideoCapture_20200121-175243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3Yj-KpGYjQMzoYu5DMWVgsRJ2RthhSRSnAvxBpBXpate-XGMv3uyGhuOAT-i3eLwQZd6DpaqeKX6jHYe86yLxSOlktZMk48a2HJo44Xhwb9990tktzr1KLiaylDdjWgaDlZwLW12YfA/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20200121-175243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpHnPaLvpz_CkOQPwilJ6pJ3uR8bgE2rDkPihEdY0A9FVKCCGZxh_CEhxEJAi-R8ygHubH3qZm5y-WO5bDvRlrmouaxmajAPORZuThfaNFwVZYvZ__4D9E2AFFq571os6LMlFgFw1bs0/s1920/VideoCapture_20200121-175218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpHnPaLvpz_CkOQPwilJ6pJ3uR8bgE2rDkPihEdY0A9FVKCCGZxh_CEhxEJAi-R8ygHubH3qZm5y-WO5bDvRlrmouaxmajAPORZuThfaNFwVZYvZ__4D9E2AFFq571os6LMlFgFw1bs0/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20200121-175218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Third-winters - 1 individual</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rainham Tip, 29th December. Another bird picked out by Dante Shepherd. I think the jizz looks very good for Caspian gull, but the amount of black in the wing tip is concerning. The P10 mirror is small, it lacks a P9 mirror and in most third-winters I would expect to see some development of tongues on the underside of the primaries, forming a curved pattern cutting into the black (compare primary patterns of third-winters above). I don't really see this here, with the shape of black looking more wedge-shaped, cutting in from the leading edge of the wing like a Yellow-legged gull. I suspect that this is within variation of Caspian gull, possibly even an individual from the Eastern end of the range (it also had a very dark mantle), but I have included it here as a hybrid could also produce these features.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5wKkwlr3YtlN12xOFS2x7upeSGbddCUT2TBylYbHeSGewZToXMFamrRnES_q1T4HdTTtKoFF6GbKgFktVO0tLAB5tdkqEXt5Hqj0BD40J-yY_y-clwUkg-1k3S8w_qbfcWyP5zxZL5c/s1920/VideoCapture_20201229-131608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5wKkwlr3YtlN12xOFS2x7upeSGbddCUT2TBylYbHeSGewZToXMFamrRnES_q1T4HdTTtKoFF6GbKgFktVO0tLAB5tdkqEXt5Hqj0BD40J-yY_y-clwUkg-1k3S8w_qbfcWyP5zxZL5c/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201229-131608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0xN3Layrh9i4By254FeMOUVJLTDFEXEuQO4FrZjrU0LW5o4_2qlRj_FqdW-jrk_Lpf4SlY5vD5YyqQzKzFFq4WrTW278QF98pYtKBf2Yk9JE6hJTfwvBGZyaZ1gKMrCPuwn8DW8OraM/s1920/VideoCapture_20201229-131548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0xN3Layrh9i4By254FeMOUVJLTDFEXEuQO4FrZjrU0LW5o4_2qlRj_FqdW-jrk_Lpf4SlY5vD5YyqQzKzFFq4WrTW278QF98pYtKBf2Yk9JE6hJTfwvBGZyaZ1gKMrCPuwn8DW8OraM/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201229-131548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Hybrids</b></h2><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I saw a large number of probable hybrid gulls this year so I have only illustrated a couple of case studies below. First winters were particularly numerous, but I rarely bothered to photograph them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Second winters - 1 individual</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Port Meadow, 15th December. Appeared somewhat like a Caspian gull, but wrong structure, wrong facial expression, mantle colour too pale, too much head streaking (especially around eye) and no P10 mirror. To my eye, the tertial and greater covert pattern could be within variation for either Caspian or Herring gull.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5dPH5vQBwGao9CBWYWRGe3o8nKwP4NHOnG9rouDU2Ls_KzB7P5AgWzYZXHFHHYitRo2u24gDzIAgd_O-up9lMEd49rGIXeLvCpRt0S23OxcLAG2u0LiDVzKm5pLe_S62Yaw1XZi9Bw8/s1920/20201215_163651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5dPH5vQBwGao9CBWYWRGe3o8nKwP4NHOnG9rouDU2Ls_KzB7P5AgWzYZXHFHHYitRo2u24gDzIAgd_O-up9lMEd49rGIXeLvCpRt0S23OxcLAG2u0LiDVzKm5pLe_S62Yaw1XZi9Bw8/w640-h360/20201215_163651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Sub-adults - 2 individuals</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Appleford fields, 7th November. This bird had dark eye and a thin, desaturated bill, as well as a small amount of pencil streaking on the nape contrasting with a white head (good for Caspian gull at any age!) - but the underside of P10 is way off for a pure bird, having far too much black - adults and fourth winters should show a much longer P10 tongue than this. Note also the rather prominent subterminal band on P10, which is commoner in subadult birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqvGYseiNC1cpmEsp6gU3pSrxTzB1xX3uMidXUo6-KBfLbE1SF0E-8a4_uvAwH9ZhpwNw7otZkER8FnXV9F6NAt9uQY4d4QiJTJTJf82eCjhGqhNA5PUxSC5xr8f275ElQ1YjOy405gw/s1920/VideoCapture_20201230-111342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqvGYseiNC1cpmEsp6gU3pSrxTzB1xX3uMidXUo6-KBfLbE1SF0E-8a4_uvAwH9ZhpwNw7otZkER8FnXV9F6NAt9uQY4d4QiJTJTJf82eCjhGqhNA5PUxSC5xr8f275ElQ1YjOy405gw/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201230-111342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Appleford Gravel Pit, 10th December. This bird had an almost perfect jizz for Caspian gull, but suffers from the same problems as the bird above. It did, however, have a broad black band on P5.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oc6FhngOIkEp1l_QoiQu1pRzKgXBDsoo4l-GEYFJupMDqOmQog1J9e19sl05CDBtDF2eeI7zaFAhU0dK5poiYXU-On_IFJ7yVZa2_sH2BeG3ptt0dijs40QbjG3uBpvLhiMVCHcgiT8/s1920/VideoCapture_20201210-180226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oc6FhngOIkEp1l_QoiQu1pRzKgXBDsoo4l-GEYFJupMDqOmQog1J9e19sl05CDBtDF2eeI7zaFAhU0dK5poiYXU-On_IFJ7yVZa2_sH2BeG3ptt0dijs40QbjG3uBpvLhiMVCHcgiT8/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201210-180226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VDANiRADtI3teFZVn7c6OThsiYtXUAt_lhhVHJPADHthGpgp3OWtUp-akPHL1uoJ1LsHQt2BdEUrkcnRbcqniZIJdIiFxkuQ4zByo3A9q2AlROfJRpu9AE2mb-BbGgkEq-nspCjXapA/s1920/VideoCapture_20201210-180254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VDANiRADtI3teFZVn7c6OThsiYtXUAt_lhhVHJPADHthGpgp3OWtUp-akPHL1uoJ1LsHQt2BdEUrkcnRbcqniZIJdIiFxkuQ4zByo3A9q2AlROfJRpu9AE2mb-BbGgkEq-nspCjXapA/w640-h360/VideoCapture_20201210-180254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Thomas Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774389050693962641noreply@blogger.com0