Heuglin's Gull (L. heuglini / antelius)

(last update: 26-1-2015)

Coordinators:
Amir Ben Dov (Israel)
Chris Gibbins (Scotland)
Hannu Koskinen (Finland)
Mars Muusse (the Netherlands)

Taimyr Gull taimyrensis or Birula Gull Larus (vegae) birulai adult, November 26 2013, Kanto, Japan. Picture: Strix.

Please visit Photographs of Japanese Birds for many breath-taking pictures.

Birds with vivid yellow legs and dark grey upperparts do occur in Japan in small numbers. Could such birds be overshooting taimyrensis, crossing the Japanese Sea? Should they be considered Birula Gulls? Birula Gull L. (vegae) birulai inhabit the region from western Yakutia and east to Kolyma delta, while Vega Gull L. vegae breed from east of Kolyma river to Chukchi peninsula.

The bird in this picture: heavy built as in Vega Gull, with late moult, P6 fully grown and P9-P10 still old (left wing) and P10 old (right wing) by late November, streaked head and dark iris. Important is the coral red orbital ring, as Vega Gull tends to show a purple orbital ring.