Birder's Twitter does seagulls...

jonnyrankin
Feb 4, 2024
3 min read

Juvenile seagull - January 2024 - Southern Spain © Jonny R

Ok, no one wants a deep dive on seagulls anymore than they want Birder's Twitter each Sunday at 18:00. But much like family members and rashes in the nether regions - some things in life - we just have to accept. So, without further ado here is the reading/ viewing materials for Season 4 - episode 13 of Birder's Twitter - be sure to share a link with your ex/ father in law/ crush at work so they can join in to...

We'll let DDL go first, because he's needy:

Thanks for that DDL - informative - maybe a little bit too informative.

Jonny H has the following to offer:

So, despite the fact that Jonny R hates any bird that is not suitable to cook as part of a standard, non-vegan, Christmas Dinner, we are finally (maybe) going to chat about GULLS! YAY!!!

A pretty large and varied topic I am sure you will agree!

So, to narrow it down a bit I asked what he wanted me to try and cover a bit and he came up with the following….

“sumat about them Kumliens ya had that winter” and

“Northern Herring Gulls?.....”

Well, in the time, space, and most tellingly, limit of my skills and knowledge in these areas, here are some VERY basic starters…..

Kumlien’s Gull

Only bother with them in their ‘first winter’, or 1st/2nd cy, as this is when they are at their most gloriously appealing. Like a cross between an Iceland Gull and Feral Pigeon.

Below is a bird that frequented my local tip and quarry a few winters ago, and is probably the most ‘classic’ in terms of structure and plumage I have seen – what is not to absolutely love about this dainty little stunner!?

Imagine this in silhouette?

A slightly more ‘standard’ Glaucoides look in this image, but still the classic dinky head and bill stand out

This bird so impressed JR when I showed him the pictures that he insisted we use them to promote #BirdersSpace, so I made him this…..

All mucking about aside, Kumlien’s Gulls occur regularly enough to make them a realistic target, and are generally fairly distinctive in all plumages, despite the occurrence of less striking birds from both ends of the cline they originate from. To learn FAR, FAR more than you could here, visit the fantastic resources at: Gull Research Organisation (gull-research.org)

‘Northern’ Herring Gull

Another incredibly complex and variable species/sub-species group with inter-breeding further muddying the already cloudy waters!

A classic adult Argentatus Herring Gull is a scary beast. Built for the far north, they are big and bulky, even in comparison to the mythical ‘giant seagulls’ of Scarborough and Bridlington, which frequently steal the chips and ice-creams of any visiting member of the public, although no ornithologists have yet reliably documented their occurrence…….odd.

Be afraid! Note the darker mantle shade in comparison to Argenteus, the limited amount of black in the primaries and the extensive head streaking (although Argenteus can be as heavily streaked).

Again, for much more actually, useful insight, visit Gull Research Organisation (gull-research.org)

Now why Mr Rankin did not let me just have a lovely chat about the best Gull on the UK list, which we all know is ROSS’ GULL, I have absolutely no idea……

Discussion birds:

Thanks, DDL, Jonny H - here's a selection of photos for discussion c/o HRH Earle of St Edmundshire the right honourable Jonny R: