Thayer's Gull (thayeri)

(last update: January 22, 2013)

Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 1st cycle - adult, February 2008 - March 2013, Lago Fish farm - San Cibrao Harbour, Lugo, N Spain.

In Spain a Thayer's Gull has been present in several subsequent late winters. This individual is a regular visitor (called "Cipriana" by local birders). It must have hatched in summer 2007 and it was first observed as 1st cycle in February 2008 by french birder Thomas Galewski. It then was relocated in 2010, 2011 and 2013 (arriving in March and spending between 10-40 days with its Spanish friends). This bird moves between Lago Fish farm and San Cibrao Harbour, Lugo, N Spain.

Much of this info has been collected by Antonio Gutierrez, please follow his excellent BLOG.

Observations of "Cipriana":

below: Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 3rd cycle (3CY), December 07 2009, Lago fish farm, Lugo, N Spain. Picture: Toño Salazar.

Typical bird except for the very pale iris in 2nd cycle plumage.

below: Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 3rd cycle (4CY), March 20 2010, Lago fish farm, Lugo, N Spain. Picture: David Calleja Marcos & Ricardo Rodríguez.

Second cycle bird with already very pale iris. In all other respects typical thayeri.

below: Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 3rd cycle (4CY), March 29 2010, Lago fish farm, Lugo, N Spain. Picture: Gabriel Martín.

below: Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 4th cycle (5CY), March 13 2011, Lugo, N Spain. Picture: David Calleja Marcos.

Still with black in the tail and vestiges of dark markings in primary coverts. Note very small primary tips and much black on bill.

below: Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 6th cycle (7CY), March 10-22 2013, Lugo, N Spain. Picture: Antonio Martínez Pernas.

Note distribution of winter streaking on head and neck, speckling in iris, purple orbital ring, saturated pink legs, and primary pattern.

below: Thayer's Gull "Cipriana" 7CY, March 17 2013, Lugo, N Spain. Picture: Antonio Gutierrez.