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Larus michahellis
I took this pics in Costa da Caparica in Portugal. There were several types of plumage. You can see in my other spotings other types. I think this species is Commun Gull (Larus canus), as it has a white spot on the tip of the wings.
Hello Malcom,
Yes, it's true that L. fuscus should be well North, but that doesn't apply to non-breeding individuals. It doesn't necessarily need to be a straggler, it could have overwintered here and remained during the Summer.
Hi Pedro, I based my ID on the fact that the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) is a winter visitor whereas this was taken in summer when they should all be well to the north, although this could be a straggler.
The grey is too dark for L. michahellis, in my opinion.
It's a 2nd cy bird.
The reference link I put on this one explains some of the differences between the similar Gulls so although it was written for the Canaries sub-species it applies to the mainland sub-species also.
Spotted on Jul 1, 2013
Submitted on Jul 1, 2013
