Glaucous Gull - Sker Point, Glamorgan

15th February 2015 - Sker point, Glamorgan

 

Another weekend away - this time visiting Father (in-law) Ted in South Wales - and another Glaucous Gull. This one was decidedly more approachable than the last, although it took an hour or so of careful clambering over some tricky rocks to get within range. A few respectable photos were the reward.

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

I've labelled this bird a juvenile rather than a first winter; sure, it's living through its first winter but in terms of plumage (and that's what matters) it's still a juvenile. As I'm sure you all know, it's a peculiarity of Glaucous Gull (and Iceland Gull) that many retain all (or nearly all) their juvenile feathers until the following spring. Some moult a few body feathers and scapulars but never as extensively as in more southerly breeding species such as Herring Gull. This individual certainly appears to have no second generation scapulars - it's harder to tell with body feathers but I can't see any - and that's why I've called it a juvenile.

This is a reasonably well-marked bird - many are a lot paler than this by February - and must have looked a sight when really fresh. Judged by its overall shape, size and bulk, I suspect this is a male. It carried its left leg constantly - a break or dislocation perhaps - so its prospects may not be the best.

In flight it looked even better. Beautifully marbled tail feathers, greater coverts and secondaries with almost white outer primaries - typically the palest part of the bird.

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan

Glaucous Gull juv. - 15/2/2015 Sker Point, Glamorgan