Although the gulls are quite close at Shawell when compared to doing a gull roost at a large reservoir, they are still a little distant. Photography is restricted to digiscoping, so my images are generally just record shots. Occasionally a good subject comes closer than normal and the light is OK at the same time. Today I was pleased with my results on the Caspian Gull below. This gull looks to be the same as one that I saw on November 29th 2014 - see Here.
As well as a couple of adults there was a third-winter Caspian Gull plus at least three hybrids.
One of the hybrids, an adult, had a perfect primary pattern for a Casp but its bill and head shape were too Herring Gull like. The one in the photo below was a real brute, but its bill was very long and its head was similar to a Casp's although larger. It had dull yellow legs, but lacked an obvious red orbital ring around the eyes and the black of its primaries was too dull for a Yellow-legged Gull. To be honest it is difficult to be sure about some of these funny gulls, but you get a feel for the features if you look at gulls for long enough.
 |
| Caspian Gull, Shawell A5 Lagoons, January 1st 2015 |
 |
| Caspian Gull |
 |
| Caspian Gull |
As well as a couple of adults there was a third-winter Caspian Gull plus at least three hybrids.
 |
| Third-winter Caspian Gull |
One of the hybrids, an adult, had a perfect primary pattern for a Casp but its bill and head shape were too Herring Gull like. The one in the photo below was a real brute, but its bill was very long and its head was similar to a Casp's although larger. It had dull yellow legs, but lacked an obvious red orbital ring around the eyes and the black of its primaries was too dull for a Yellow-legged Gull. To be honest it is difficult to be sure about some of these funny gulls, but you get a feel for the features if you look at gulls for long enough.
 |
| Hybrid Caspian x Herring Gull? |