[ Last edited by msamuel at 25/10/2011 22:19 ] Author: kmatthew Time: 24/10/2011 09:46
The first Gull looks like a Mew gull to me, and the second a Black-headed. But I am not sure how to distinguish 1st and 2nd winter birds... Author: Ronaldo Time: 24/10/2011 20:26
I agree with Black-headed. For bird 13, it may be a dunlin? Author: kkoel Time: 24/10/2011 21:18
I think the Common Gull should be a second year bird, as evidenced by those few grey feathers on the back. Author: puppymic Time: 24/10/2011 21:56
Quote:
Record of birds sighted
好多靚雀喎 Author: EricB Time: 25/10/2011 07:12
A nice selection of birds. I like the Red necked Grebe best; looks like its trying its best to avoid being ticked.
Pic 6 Plastic Mallard (ie hybrid)
Pic 13 Dunlin
Pic 16b is a 2nd summer Great Black backed -note the massive bill.
pic 17 Common Gull ( Mew usually refers to the American species/sub species Larus brachyrhynchus) juvenile bird going into 1st winter.The bill is still predominantly dark and retains much of its juvenile flight feathers.The grey mantle feathers are the 1st winter moult coming through.The head and neck are moulted fist winter feathers.
Pic 18 Black headed Gull is again a juv moulting into first winter plumage. All the brown feathers(nape , coverts,tertials) are juvenile feathers.There are some pale grey feathers on the mantle which are first winter feathers.
Cheers
E Author: ajohn Time: 25/10/2011 13:40
Out of interest Eric, how do you conclude that the mallard is a hybrid?
I had assumed this was a male Mallard moulting into breeding plumage, and I was trying to decide whether it was moulting from juvenile plumage or from eclipse. Author: msamuel Time: 25/10/2011 22:39
Dear Eric
Pic 10. The Red-necked Grebe was swimming away from its chick. It can see while (pretending) sleeping!
Pic 16b. Thank you for pointing the difference out. Id by bill size is too hard for me. After some reading, I notice that Great Black-backed has pink legs and Lesser has yellow legs. The following picture (same individual) confirms your id:
Wider view of pic 16b
I bet the right gull (enlarged picture below) is Great Black-backed though can't see its legs
This must be Lesser Black-backed Gull as having yellow legs (different bird as in pic 16)
Thanks. Samuel
[ Last edited by msamuel at 25/10/2011 22:52 ] Author: cywong Time: 25/10/2011 23:43
A nice trip! Author: EricB Time: 26/10/2011 03:02
Thanks John for that interesting question.
As you know there are a lot of dodgy ducks, particularly in Europe.The dodgy Mallards tend to be a bit bigger than the genuine article.This individuals head shape and and bill length doesn't look too good for a pure Mallard.
I don't really understand Mallard moult sequences and appreciate you pointing out that this bird is almost certainly still moulting.I have no idea if this is the way Mallards are supposed to replace their head feathers, but I will may more attention to this in the future.
Samuel,Regarding Pic 16 I think this is an adult summer Lesser black backed - having only scraped through GCSE Gulls ID I hesitate to call this a 'Baltic Gull' but will settle for Larus fuscus. Note the size difference and gentler look of this bird in direct comparison to the GBB in the wider view of 16b.
I can't really get my head round Gulls but these people seem to be interested! http://www.gull-research.org/
You might find this link of some interest. http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/Feat ... heuglins-gulls.html
With kind regards,
Eric
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