2nd winter Caspian Gull

This bird was first seen on the 31st December as a 2nd calendar bird and then the next day as a 3rd calendar bird! Similar to 'Bird 8' but note the more parallel, straighter edges to the bill.  Compared to Bird 3, this bird has more solidly brown wing coverts and more adult like feathers, overall, on the scapulars and mantle, ie, fewer dark shafts and bars on these feathers.  Large, so probably another male.

Identification:

• Again, note the long neck
• This bird had a particularly small, beady eye which sat up high on the head
• Long billed
• Bill also slender and parallel sided with typical dark sub-terminal band
• Long, thin legs.  Especially long tibia.

• Note mirror in P10
• Mainly white underwing
• Many adult type grey median and lesser coverts
• Mainly grey inner primaries also denote 2nd winter plumage.

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• High chested
• 'Snouty'