Mew Gull Larus canus canus; heinei; kamtschatschensis; brachyrhynchus

(last update: March 12, 2012)

Mew Gull (Larus canus) adult: January - February

In 2016, the magazine Dutch Birding distributed a special issue: Identification of the Larus canus complex. A very comprehensive paper on the identification of Mew Gulls by Peter Adriaens & Chris Gibbins. ORDER YOUR PAPER COPY HERE!

Mid-January 2017 a strong winter-storm hit the coast of the Netherlands and beached myriads of mollusks and starfishes, which in turn attracted large numbers of gull, including Iceland, Glaucous, Herring, Lesser Black-backed, Greater Black-backed, Caspian, Yellow-legged, Little, Black-headed, Mediterranean and Common Gull.

Especially on sunny days you'll find joggers, horse-riders, people with dogs, etc frequently passing by at close range, or even chasing away birds. Gradually the birds got used to it and with a little care could be approached. We rarely have Common Gulls in large numbers being this confiding; here is a link to a set of pictures of adult birds in January. All pictures January 27 2017 - Scheveningen beach. (picture is link to index page)

 

 

catching Mew Gulls in winter

adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull canus & heinei, winter 2010, Copenhagen, Denmark.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull canus & heinei, winter 2010, Viborg, Denmark.

"brachyrhynchus" Mew Gull adult January - February

Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 03 2012, Sayer's Park - Seattle, WA. Picture: Amar Ayyash.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 20 2014, San Francisco, CA. Picture: Amar Ayyash.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 03 2012, Sayer's Park, Lake Washington. Picture: Amar Ayyash.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 23 2011, California, US. Picture: Vivek Khanzodé.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 24 2007, Santa Ana River mouth, Orange Co., CA. Picture: John Avise.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 27 2012, Ilwaco, WA. Picture: Ryan Merrill.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 11 2012, Morro Bay, CA. Picture: Bill Bouton.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 11 2012, Morro Bay, CA. Picture: Bill Bouton.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 03 2012, Sayer's Park - Seattle, WA. Picture: Amar Ayyash.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 09 2016, Vancouver, BC. Picture: Pierre Cenerelli.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 03 2012, Sayer's Park, Lake Washington. Picture: Amar Ayyash.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 27 2010, Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island, Washington. Picture: Dennis Cheasebro.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 26 2006, California, US. Picture: Glen Tepke.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 16 2015, Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA. Picture: Michael Southcott.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 16 2007, Broughton Beach, OR. Picture: John Rakestraw.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 18 2009, Dana Point, Orange Co., CA. Picture: John Avise.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 24 2007, Santa Ana River mouth, Orange Co., CA. Picture: John Avise.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 24 2007, Santa Ana River mouth, Orange Co., CA. Picture: John Avise.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 24 2007, Santa Ana River mouth, Orange Co., CA. Picture: John Avise.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 12 2011, Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Sacramento Co., CA. Picture: Dave Johnson.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 30 2012, Redding, CA. Picture: Nikki.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 07 2013, San Simeon, CA. Picture: Bill Bouton.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 01 2011, Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland, CA. Picture: John Cant.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 04 2014, Lake Forest, CA. Picture: Anthony Gliozzo.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 26 2013, Kelowna Yacht Club, BC. Canada. Picture: Chop-Merc.
2cy Common Gull (77401 bytes)Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 23 2009, Virginia Lake, Washoe Co., Nevada. Picture: Fugl.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 03 2010, Moro Bay, CA. Picture: Amar Ayyash.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, January 14 2008, Berkeley Marina Meadow; Berkley, CA. Picture: Nancy Johnston.
Mew Gull brachyrhynchus adult, February 21 2015, Alberni-Clayoquot, BC, Canada. Picture: Edward Kroc.

"canus" Mew Gull adult January - February

adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus 4-6cy SVS 7204359 December 2011 - December 2013, Le-Touquet / Boulogne, France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
Mew Gull canus SVS 7188031 8CY & 11CY, November 2013 & February - March 2016, Grou, the Netherlands. Picture: Ruurd Jelle van der Leij & Mars Muusse.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult SVS 7187947January 2013 & 2014, Stella-Plage / Boulogne, France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus SVS 7165326 16+cy, February 07 2015, Le Touquet, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus 15-18cy NOS 5138897 2010-2013, Boulogne/Mer, France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult J7T9 January 03 2014, Aalborg, Denmark. Picture: Hans Hendrik Larsen.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus 17cy DKC 5108454 January 12-16 2013, Stella-plage, Pas-de-Calais, France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus 10cy & 13cy DEH IA-057572 10cy - 14cy, December 2011 - January 2015, Le-Touquet, France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus DEH IA 052653 14cy, February 07 2015, Le Touquet, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus 12cy DEH IA 052611 February 09 2013, Calais, France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus 15cy PLG FN04302 February 21 2009, Warmond, Zwanengat, The Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult EK20 January 13 2012, Oosterpark - Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult EU99 January-February 2010, Maresingel - Leiden, The Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult C50 January 07 2006, Enghaveparken, Vesterbro, København, Denmark. Picture: Jørgen Witved.
Mew Gull canus U5M adult, February 27 2016, Grou, the Netherlands. Picture: Ruurd Jelle van der Leij.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus AV86 adult, February 02 2014, Riga, Letland. Picture: Igor Denisov.
Mew Gull canus CZ91 2011-2016, Grou, the Netherlands. Picture: Ruurd Jelle van der Leij & Mars Muusse.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult, February 02 2012, Strøby-egede (Stevns), Denmark. Picture: Per Schans Christensen.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult, January 02 2011, Mariager Fjord, Denmark. Picture: Hendrik Pedersen.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus, adult, January 17 2013, Blennerville, Ireland. Picture: Vivian Wynne Philips.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult, January 02 2011, Zijldijk - Warmond, The Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull canus adult, February 08 2015, Le Touquet, NW France. Picture: Jean-Michel Sauvage.

"heinei" Mew Gull adult January - February

adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult, January 14 2014, Taganrog, Rostov oblast , Russia. Picture: Anatoliy Kuzmin.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult EZ77 January & December 2010, Zoetermeer & Leiden, The Netherlands. Picture: Maarten van Kleinwee.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull heinei? adult K48 January 07 2006, Enghaveparken, Vesterbro, København, Denmark. Picture: Jørgen Witved.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult, January 2010, Copenhagen, Denmark. Picture: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult, February 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark. Picture: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult, February 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark. Picture: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult, February 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark. Picture: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.
adult Common Gull - canus - in February. (41611 bytes)Mew Gull heinei adult, January 2010, Viborg, Denmark. Picture: Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.
Mew Gull heinei adult, February 05 2014, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Oleg Belyalov.
Mew Gull heinei adult, January 14 2015, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Alexandr Katuncev.
Mew Gull heinei adult, January 08 2013, Tupkaragan, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Aisagali Kadirov.
Mew Gull heinei adult, February 05 2014, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Oleg Belyalov.
Mew Gull heinei adult, January 14 2015, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Alexandr Katuncev.
Ring-billed Gull delawarensis adult, January 07 2015, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Anna Yasko.
Always check your local Common Gulls, you may find something funny.
Mew Gull heinei adult, January 07 2015, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Anna Yasko.
Mew Gull heinei adult, January 07 2015, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Anna Yasko.
Mew Gull heinei adults, February 20 2006, Mangystau oblast, Tubkaragan region, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Aisagali Kadirov.
Mew Gull heinei adult, February 01 2015, Aktau, W Kazakhstan. Picture: Anna Yasko.

"kamtschatschensis" Mew Gull adult January - February

Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 06 2010, Rausu - Hokkaido, Japan. Picture: Aurélien Audevard.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 16 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 09 2005, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 11 2009, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 11 2009, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 02 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 04 2006, Hasaki, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 19 2013, Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 18 2014, Choshi, Japan. Picture:  Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 19 2013, Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 02 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 02 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 14 2015, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 21 2012, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 25 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Clive Harris.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 28 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Clive Harris.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 25 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Clive Harris.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 13 2015, Niigata, Japan. Picture: Koumisuzume.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 21 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 21 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 21 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 19 2013, Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 16 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 16 2008, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 16 2013, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Akimichi Ariga.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 21 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 08 2010, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Seichoudoku.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 23 2013, Kobe, Japan. Picture: Amenouoiwana.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 25 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Clive Harris.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 25 2011, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Clive Harris.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, January 29 2010, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Stuart Price.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 07 2013, Kobe, Japan. Picture: Amenouoiwana.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 07 2013, Kobe, Japan. Picture: Amenouoiwana.
Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 07 2013, Kobe, Japan. Picture: Amenouoiwana.
adult Common Gull (63404 bytes)Mew Gull kamtschatschensis adult, February 21 2010, Choshi, Japan. Picture: Goodhilda.