The 1st portuguese record of Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis was made at Ponta da erva, Lisboa 08.07.2015 by Pedro Fernandes and Samantha Zaza, and 4 days after at the same location 2cy Steppe Eagle was relocated again at the same area, by a large group of observers.
Here sowing upperwing pattern with wide white rump and pale crescents on primaries, second photo showing glide posture with wings held dowwards (black vulture fashion).
A great video from Frederico Morais (08/07/2015)
" In Europe only found in Russia north and north-west of the Caspian Sea. Formerly also nested in Moldova and Romania but it is long extinct in those countries. Also gone from the Ukraine since the 1980s [Mebs & Schmidt 2006]. Outside of Europe the species is found in the steppes of central Asia eastwards to Mongolia, eastern Kazakhstan, Tibet and northeastern China [GRIN 2009]. During winter in Africa and southwestern Asia." http://www.europeanraptors.org/raptors/steppe_eagle.html
On April 27 the 4th Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus record for Portugal as been achieved thanks to Miguel Berkmeyer´s finding. The first 3 records established in the same year of 2013, and adult like birds were seen across all portuguese coast. This record is not any diferent and the dificulty of identification on juveniles and first plumage cycles maybe be having a role here, with birds seen between April to August, but all of them with adult like looks and consequently easier to spot by most keen gullers.
Aiming this potential problem I advise a good reading Identification of first cycle Larus dominicanus vetula: The Cape Gull of good hope? by Chris Gibbins, focusing on moult timing and other plumages features that could help on the field. The first 2 portuguese records are also cited on Chris ID paper as being Cape Gull (vetula), and all the following records including the present one seem to be all from this Southern African subspecies in my humble opinion.
April 29th 2015 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus at praia do Inatel, Costa da Caparica, Portugal
April 29th 2015 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus at praia do Inatel, Costa da Caparica, Portugal
Here with 2cy Yellow-legged Gull Larus michehellis and 2cy Lesser black-backed GullLarus fuscus, andshowing in the field 2cycle type exterior tail feathers on otherwise all white tail, and small vestigial mirror on left wing P10 (here)(here)
Regarding P10 mirror theres seems to be a hudge variability and birds with no mirrors are also to consider, here you can find a good set of mostly adult June birds taken by Chris Gibbins at Cape province, South Africa.
April 29th 2015 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus at praia do Inatel, Costa da Caparica, Portugal
April 29th 2015 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus at praia do Inatel, Costa da Caparica, Portugal
Miguel Berkmeyer video footage on April 27th 2015 at Costa da Caparica, Portugal
On 03.01.2015 this rather small and slender 2cy Herring gull Larus argentatus was present at Docapesca de Sesimbra.
I want to thank you to Frederico Morais, Pedro Nicolau and Marco Schwager for their company while we atempt to relocate the 2 caspians previously seen at the harbour.
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