Wednesday, 29 April 2015

Kelp Gull / Cape Gull, Larus dominicanus at Costa da Caparica - Portugal

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, and showing 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


GRO - Gull Research Organisation: Kelp Gull/ Cape Gul

1st record for Portugal - 6 june 2013
2nd (submited) record for Portugal: 21/22 May 2013
3rd record for Portugal: 16 August 2013
4th record for Portugal: 27 April 2015  (photo links):









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