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Thursday, 10 January 2013

Iceland and Glauc

Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
 
Its not everyday that you get both of these Arctic Gulls together so today was pretty good. Stayed out with Roy to watch the roosting flocks come and go. About 15-20,000 gulls, 2000+ Jackdaw, 2000+ Ring-necked Parakeet and a few hundred Starling.
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4 comments:

  1. Mark James Pearson10 January 2013 at 18:45

    We've neither up here presently Pete, jealous.....!

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  2. Peter Alfrey11 January 2013 at 09:46

    We do seem to do really well for white-wingers here. Got something going for us :-)

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  3. john12 January 2013 at 03:18

    Last Autumn I saw an Iceland Gull in Anchorage, Alaska. I was told that Iceland Gull in not a distinct species. It is a clinal variation of a species that includes Kumlien's, and Thayer's Gull. What is the common name that all three forms would share? What are your thoughts on the subject?

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  4. Peter Alfrey12 January 2013 at 08:10

    The suggested cline is Iceland (east), Kumlien's (centre) and Thayers (west) but others place Iceland and Thayers as a good species with Kumlien's as the hybrid zone and others place Kumlien's a race of Iceland. I read something somewhere that studies on the breeding ground have not been completed so the matter remains in limbo.
    My thoughts on the subject are confused! Nice birds though.

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