Lookalike

The cach lookalike from Langvannet was last seen the 16th of January. The gull are probably in the area still, but  it hasn't been a lot of search. I thought that I should try to sum up the gull.

The 11th November 2011the bird was found on land together with the other gulls. It got attention eminently, and a lot of photos where taken. I didn't manage to get any flight shots this day. I soon sent pictures of the gull on the ground to Inge Flesjå (Norwegian gull-expert). Here is what he answered after the first images.

Denne var tøff, ser ut som ei meget kaspi lik Gråmåke! Hybrid? Har du bilder av en utstrakt vinge?

 To summarise in English he wonders if it could be a hybrid, and wants images of upper wing. The next day I was back on Langvannet, with only one thought in my mind. This day, the gull sits on the floating dock, and I manage to get nice upper wing shots. One or two images are again sent to Inge.

Jeg mener fuglen din er ei Gråmåke. Men, hybrid Grå x Kaspi vil være vanskelig å mot bevise. Ellers så passer det lyse vinduet med Kaspi, en stor andel fugler har lys utfane på indre håndsvingfjærene...Til tross for at "læra" sa noe annet i sin tid...

With wing shots Inge thinks that the gull is a Herring, but he also says that hybrid will be hard to disprove. After some days Hans Larsson also replies.

Hej! Den ser ok ut för möjlig hybrid alt. avvikande gråmåke!

Ok for hybrid, but he wouldn't rule Herring out!

After these two days, the gull has been seen now and then, and I have tried to get photos to show the gulls development. The gull is last seen 16.01.2012, the same day some rubbish photos where taken.

When it comes to ID, I agree with Inge and Hans. The bird is most likely a Herring. Still I wouldn't rule cach genes out. The bird hasn't changes so much since it was found in November. The interesting neck has gradually become darker. The scapulars only had a few old feathers in November, all of these where gone in one month later. Besides this the plumage only have become some more worn. The legs have never been any longer than the Herrings. Tail pattern is also quite interesting.

12.11.2011

12.11.2011

16.01.2012

16.01.2012