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Glaucous gull, 3rd winter

3/2/2019

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​On the morning of February 1st 2019 mainland Portugal was beginning to feel the effects of the depression "Helena". The day broke with showers and moderate SW wind. I decided to go to Peniche, one of my local patches, to take a look at seabird movement and check the gulls. To my pleasant surprise there was a Glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) resting among a group of Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) and Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus michahellis), at the mouth of the Saint Domingos river.

Although I have observed this species several times in the past, particularly during the winter influx of 2013/2014, I had never observed this plumage. The bird, at first sight (and light conditions), had an adult appearance with a gray mantle and light iris, but with an immature bill. The bird was kind and allowed me to spend some time studying and photographing the plumage details.
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The bird had a pale pink yellow bill, with a dark, relatively well-marked, subterminal stripe. The tip was ivory. The legs were pink, more intense than the beak. The iris was pale olive and had a dark pre-ocular mark. Note the pale brown infusions on the side of the chest, extending to the nape.
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The third left tail feather (R3) presented a slight brown infusion along the shaft.
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The coloration of the primaries begins to approach the adult pattern, however, it presents with a less obvious division between the white of the feather tip and the interior.
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A good portion of the innermost greater and median coverts, as well as the  tertials,  were white.
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In flight we can observe the marbled pattern formed by the contrast between the white and buffish coverts and the gray.
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The underwing coverts presented creamy tones in the median and lesser coverts, forming a slight brownish bar, which contrasted with the white axillaries.
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    I was born in west Portugal and began birding at the age of 11. I have particular interest in bird ringing (banding),  moult, seabirds and rarities. Currently I work as a guide for Birds & Nature Tours.
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