THE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL PROBLEM

Contrary to popular belief Lesser Black-backed Gull is a common winter visitor and passage migrant to the Azores.

Images: Lesser Black-backs or Azorean Gulls? Or Yellow-legged Gull/Atlantic Gull.

ADULT AZOREAN GULL

ADULT AZOREAN GULLS. Bottom taken in September and top two photos in February.

THIRD CYCLE AZOREAN GULL

THIRD CYCLE AZOREAN GULLS. Bottom image taken in September and other images in February.

SECOND CYCLE AZOREAN GULL

Upper two photos: February birds in alternate plumage (first summer). Lower photos: September birds.

FIRST CYCLE AZOREAN GULL

Upper two photos: Birds in February towards end of first cycle, showing moulted mantle, scapulars and outer coverts (tertial also replaced in top bird).

Bottom four photos: Birds in September towards beginning of first cycle showing mainly juvenile plumage with the odd moulted scapular and mantle feather.

LIFE IN THE FREEZER

I turned to page 57 in this month's Birdwatch magazine and was surprised to see a familar 'face'- it's the Glaucous Gull in my freezer.