Azorean Gull ~ 2nd. W ~ Larus michahellis atlantis ~ Sao Miguel, Azores -Nov' 16

Azorean Gulls ~ Larus michahellis atlantis all photographed on Sao Miguel in the last week in November, main sites where Ribeira Grande, Caloura and Lagao de porto ..

The following images are all 2nd winter birds ..

Smaller, shorter legged still with some of the shin-pads remaining and most have pale iris, grey saddle to varying degrees and lesser & median coverts replaced sporadically.

Dark tail-bar with most having a white rump ..

Click here for different ages ...

Adult winters

3rd. winters
1st Winters

Azorean Gulls ~ 2nd. W

   

Caspian Gull ~ 1st. W ~ Dungeness, Kent - 04.12.16

East wind of 16mph this afternoon at the fishing boats, Dungeness.

Light was quite nice as longer as you kept the sun directly behind you ..

Anyway within minutes a new bird was in the feeding melee, looked like Pinocchio with wings !!

It stayed around for about an hour before headed across land to The Patch area ..

Caspian Gull ~ 1st. Winter

Azorean Gull ~ 3rd. W ~ Larus michahellis atlantis ~ Sao Miguel, Azores -Nov' 16

These Azorean Gulls, Larus michahellis atlantis were all photographed on Sao Miguel, Azores last week in November.

Primary moult should be complete by the end of October, yet a few birds appear to have not yet fully grown in P10 ..

Also the P10 mirror, with some seemingly more  advanced birds lacking a mirror and some possibly more retarded birds in moult showing a mirror !!

Click on the link for different ages ...
Adult birds
2nd Winters
1st Winters

Azorean Gull ~ 3rd winter

The following all lacking a P10 mirror

Next is a few Sub-Adult 4th cycle types based on bill and covert markings .. 

Probable adult with dark bill markings

Feel free to comment as mistakes are easy to make ...