6th March 2016 - Topsham
Almost a Yellow-legged but not quite the real deal, here's some photos of hybrid gull from yesterday's session at Topsham Rec. This bird has been around at least since last November. Is it just me or does anyone else see these and, probably very sensibly, ignore them?
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham. |
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Fairly dark grey above and, while it never stood next to any other adult LWHG for comprison, it was clearly darker than
argenteus and paler than
graellsii; in fact I'd guess probably close to
michahellis in shade or maybe a little darker. The main problem apparent here is the colour of the legs and feet, the tarsi appeared slightly yellowish or a sort of orange- or salmon-pink (it varied with angle and light levels) but at times the toes looked definitely pinkish. After checking photos of this bird taken last November the legs do look possibly a little more yellow now but a real 'mick' should be in full breeding condition in March with bright, deep yellow legs.
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham |
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham |
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham |
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham |
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham |
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| Hybrid Gull - 6/3/2016 Topsham |
Leg colour aside, I'd still have serious doubts given the wing pattern which shows several differences from a classic
michahellis. Very large mirror on P10 and large mirror on P9 are possible in
michahellis (more so in Eastern birds?) but not common; thin (almost broken) W-shaped band on P5, obvious white 'moons' separating the black and grey on P5 - P7, both atypical and suggestive of HG genes.
