Gulls of Crete

Steppe or other ?

2012-02-10T11:39:00.004+02:00

Another mystery Gull today, Feb 10, 2012 on Herakleion Harbour. Is it a second winter? If it is Steppe or Caspian? The fine bill without obvious gonys excludes michahellis and armenicus and looks not unlike 1st summer Ring-Biled?

Comparing with michahellis looks a bit smaller, same grey:

Comparing with Caspian the bill is shorter, also legs shorter and possibly heavier:

So what?

A nice morning, 26 Jan 2012

2012-01-26T14:28:00.006+02:00

The stormy weather in the sea gave the opportunity for more Gulls to be in the harbour but I had only little time... Presuming Caspian right and YLG left:

Immatures to be study...:

Fuscus type:

Heuglin's I suppose:

Both YLG:

And a Steppe Gull !

With a YLG:

Wonderful morning both in weather and for Gulling!

Caspian Complex and more :)

2012-01-03T18:41:00.007+02:00

This subadult Caspian was also in "Armenian post":

In the next a Caspian resting with a darker individual to the left, what?:

Is the same individual as in a previous post:

Here alone, very dark Caspian, Steppe or heuglini? or even taymyrensis? :

At least adult Caspian looks easy!:

A bird that I think is a Steppe one:

But I cannot say what is that... another Steppe or a very dark Caspian ?

Finally a bird that looks really huge beside the Baltic one:

I suppose is an hybrid YLGxCG (mirror/primaries, body colour and eye like Caspian, legs and bill like YLG).

Armenians... Jan 2, 2012

2012-01-03T18:09:00.006+02:00

A 4 cal year Caspian, 2 YLGs, and Armenian Gull. The pic above just to show the little but important differences in body and leg colour.

The same Armenian:
.
Another most probable Armenian although the eye not as dark as usually I suppose is armenicus mostly from bill shape and body colour:

And a third Armenian further away:

More individuals Jan 4, 2012 adult and a probable 2cy:

What is this?

2012-01-03T13:21:00.006+02:00

First Year Gulling in Herakleion Harbour yesterday January 2, 2012!

There are two birds among others very interesting.

Compare the YLG to the right the front bird has lighter grey in mandle and is as small as an Armenian, but has pale eye and wrong leg colour for that species. Looks heavier than a Common Gull... The gull opposite will be discussed in another post.

So what is this gull?

An update, not sure if is the same bird... Jan 4, 2012:

Going back to my photos I found this bird from Nov 25, 2011 which seems to be exactly the same individual,and may give some help:

And also another difficult bird... Nov 18, 2011:

Latest Gulling on 2011 - an odd one!

2011-12-31T17:14:00.003+02:00

I was focusing in the flock when a strange bird passed by:

A pic to show a typical primary pattern on YLG:

Several YLGs:

An immature Caspian with a very hooked bill:

Same bird from the other side:

And then the odd one appeared!

I think is a partly leucistic Heuglin's Gull:

Details shows a subadult:

Dec 7, 2011 Herakleion

2011-12-07T19:12:00.004+02:00

A subadult YLG, injured in foot:
Baltic or Scandinavian LBBG?:
Mediterranean 1st winter:
A rare visitor in the harbour, a 2nd winter Audouin's !!!
Good day with some rain!

Many Larus fuscus & heuglini this year!

2011-11-28T14:30:00.005+02:00

LATE NOVEMBER 2011 - HERAKLEION HARBOUR.

Maybe more than 50 birds on the late November in Heraklion harbour are fuscus type birds. LBBG intermedius, BG fuscus and HG heuglini are more than any other year of the last 10. Mainly Heuglins and many young birds look also this type of fuscus.

And always some birds are difficult to identificate like this "heuglini or barabensis":

Armenian present also, left with YLG on the right:

Heuglin's are so great:
This bird made me a bit puzzling before decide to identificate as Caspian:
But this one remains unidentificated...:

Next pic shows a ringed young gull on left. Probable numbers I read are: xE-x7x428

(x=R, x=1, x=5), hope to another better look. The right one possibly Armenian:
YLG are always beautiful:
Possible HG, 1st winter:
Oily Mediteranean:
And more to show...

8 November 2011

2011-11-08T15:03:00.006+02:00

Many new arrivals!

BHG - Med G.

YLG

2 CGs

Baltic?

????

Possible Baltic

???

Again here!! For another winter this BG. Still in moult the wing covers!

The YLG on the right has different colour in its legs !!

Chance to identification - Oct 25

2011-10-25T12:15:00.009+03:00

Another good gulling in Herakleion harbour this morning! But mostly immature gulls that need so much home work! All 8 birds above are shown here. The darkest one was this LBBG or Baltic juvenile type:
Two pics of a 2nd-winter Armenian:

An oily one, presumed Heuglin's:
A heavy one, is a heuglini also?:
A strange one, also most probably heuglini:
Three interesting ones:
The left, I think n Larus fuscus intermedius type:
The central, presumed as Baltic:
The right - unknown but probably a northern LBBG!:
Apart from 8 above, more good ones:
The sub-adult (3rd winter?) Armenian:
... and a 1st winter Caspian:
A LBBG, most probably intermedius with problem in feets:
and finally this beautiful one! (Baltic I suppose...):
Together only 12 birds photographed in my short visit, most gulls were in the sea around fish boats, but was an exellent day!

Oct 10 - many new Gulls

2011-10-11T09:31:00.007+03:00

Rainy weather and the cold front from NNW brings always new good things -gulls- to Herakleion harbour!
About 3 Heuglin's - 3 LBBG of intermedius colour type - 5 Baltic - 1 Caspian - 1 most probable Armenian and one probable Steppe among several unidentifated 1st-winters and immatures and several tens of YLGs. Some of them following

A 2nd-winter Baltic:
Scandinavian LBBG with a Heuglin's:
Another Heuglin's:
A Caspian up right and a walking probable Steppe Gull:
Most probbaly a 1st-winter Armenian Gull, suggesting the same individual of the previous post:
More have to come !!

Oct, 4 / new arrivals

2011-10-04T10:00:00.001+03:00

YLG - BG -LBBG intermedius - YLG - YLG

Presumed as 1st winter Baltic

Most probably Armenian 1st winter:
Same bird with a "fuscus type" bigger one for comparison:

Sep 2011 first winter arrivals

2011-09-30T09:04:00.003+03:00

Two 3rd winter (not 100% sure for aging, probably 4 cal year?) dark gulls, early winter arrivals noticed today, Sep 30, in Heraklion harbour. The one to the right most probably Scandinavian LBBG, the other looks very good for Heuglin's:

This LBBG have problem in feets, injured?:
Finally a 1st winter individual - LBBG type on 23rd September:Waiting for more good ones!

Special things!

2011-03-28T18:53:00.006+03:00

Heraklion harbour, 24 March 2011. A very good rainy day for Gulling!

Up and down pics show a Caspian in front and a YLG to the right. But what is that on the left?

The bill shape probably indicate an Armenian?

The folloing picture indiacate another Caspian in front right. Dark feathers and heavy built of the other beside show a "good heuglini" but the one on the left remains difficult, another probable Armenian?:

Yes! It is the same well-known male Baltic Gull from Finland! :

This one is my mystery one:

The bill shape and the dark eye provides a possibility of an eastern bird... a Steppe?

But lets see those ones:

The right bird looks a fine Armenian Gull, due to the shape/colour of bill:

The other bird looks a very typical "barabensis" in all aspects.

Quite small, almost same as the Armenian to the right.

Leg size alost as short as Armenian.

Darker upperparts than YLGs.

Looks flat forehead with dark eye.

The narrow and blunt-tipped bill seems immediate between Armenian and Caspian:

Another case of a "good" Steppe Gull on Crete have appeared...

Ένας νεαρός ψαράς - A young fisherman

2011-02-03T11:45:00.004+02:00

Λεπτόραμφος γλάρος, πρώτου χειμώνα, 30 Γενάρη 2011 στο λιμανάκι του Κόκκινου Πύργου στη Μεσσαρά... διηγείται την περιπέτεια ενός ψαρέματος

Ist winter Slender-billed Gull on Kokkinos Pyrgos port, south Crete - 30 Jan 2011.

My name is slender... Larus genei and I will show you my foraging story..

Ψαρεύοντας στα ρηχά:

Fishing on shallow water:
αποτυχία.... no success...
Εσύ τι θες εδώ, θα μου πάρεις το ψωμί;;

I don't want co-fishing!
Ψυχραιμία..

Be cool...
Paparazzi...
Ας αποτραβηχτώ...

Lets go...
Ακόμη μια προσπάθεια:

To try fishing again:
Τίποτα ακόμη...

Nothing yet...
Αλλά λίγο μετά:

But in a little while:
Ας το αλατίσω λιγάκι...

Lets make it salty:
Τι ψάρι άραγε έπιασα; εεε μη φεύγεις να σε ταυτοποιήσω πρώτα!

What species is it? don't go away, I have to name you!
Δε θα μου ξεφύγεις!

I will found you little fish!
Να είναι φανερό, είσαι σπάρος Diplodus annularis!

Obiously, you are an Annular Sea Bream! Diplodus annularis

Πάλι προσπαθείς να δραπετεύσεις;

Again! Do you try to escape?
Τώρα τελείωσαν τα ψέμματα!

Lets finish this joke!
Δεν είσαι όσο μικρό φαινόσουν!

Not so little!
Glouppp!!!
Πάμε για το επόμενο...

Lets go for another one!

Interesting 1st winters...

2010-11-10T12:55:00.003+02:00

This very dark bird needs more examination, I will appriciate any comments...
Comparing with a typical YLG:
November 3, Her Har.

Armenian and more...

2010-11-10T11:52:00.010+02:00

The bird above confused me but it is most probably only another YLG...

But the adult in the right of next pics looked fine for Armenian (Nov, 3 2010):

Closer:
Another "Armenian like" bird, again most probably YLG one!:
And a more "canditate" Armenian, large amount of black on wings, more typical head and bill, more dark than YLG behind:
And an intermedius type one :

A second winter Heuglin's ?

2010-11-10T11:47:00.006+02:00

Baltic and Heuglins were present on November 9 in Her harbour, although the strong south winds. An interesing 2nd-winter gull also present:
Comparing with Yellow-legged type birds:
Is that a Heuglin's?

The 10th International Gull Meeting

2010-09-15T19:46:00.005+03:00

The 10th International Gull Meeting will be placed on Herakleion?

Last wintering Gulls

2010-03-19T13:48:00.000+02:00

Five interesting birds together, 18 Mar.

To the left side a 4 cal year Caspian:
Next one from left a small dark one, probably a Baltic?:
A big one, probably Heuglin's:
A little one, Armenian?:
And the 15 cal year one male Baltic again:
Differences in length of legs:
Three birds on flight: One with heavy primary moult in both winds:
Another (michahellis?) on heavy primary moult:
And a whitish first winter-2nd summer bird, just a michahellis?:
A 2nd-winter/3rd summer? fuscus type bird, probably intermedius, 17 Mar:
Most Gulls now on move...

Heuglin's or Steppe?

2010-03-11T09:35:00.002+02:00

The individual above, seen on Irakleion harbour on Mar 8 looks like 1st winter to 2nd summer bird. Best choice is heuglini ?
The next 4 photos is most probably another 1st winter-2nd summer bird on Mar 10, pretty small in size, with an interesting early body moult (if age is accurate), with quite long bill, giving a good possibility for being a "barabensis":
Body colour not as dark as the previous bird - just different light conditions.

Wintering Gulls on Crete and more...

2010-02-02T16:59:00.006+02:00

The next two pictures were taken on lake Kastoria, Western Makedonia, North Greece by Christos Toskos. First one taken to show the GBBG but also show an individual in front that is looking interesting. The dark eye goes to Caspian? It looks long billed for Armenian. But what about a possibility of Steppe Gull?
The second bird has been supposed as a Herring Gull but I believe is a Caspian. Any other suggestions? :
The rest of the photos in this post were taken here, a "pair" of suggested Armenians, adult and 1st winter on the next 4 photos, in a river mouth just west of the town, although the adult bird seems to have lots of white on primaries it was small-sized (compare with michahellis beside), dark and with 4-coloured short bill:
A "good" heuglini case:
Presumed Caspians. or something else?:
A typical Caspian, with problematic wing:Next 4 photos: Several cases of LBBGs, among Caspians and YLGs, what subspecies?:
And the returned, for one more year male Baltic:
Finally the rare on Crete SBG:

10th International Gull Meeting

2009-12-16T14:17:00.004+02:00

The 10th International Gull Meeting will be placed on Herakleion, at Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete. Dates: Nov 24 to Nov 28 2010. NHMC will be offer meeting supplies as the conference room and more.
The NHMC site lies on coastal line of the town, with a nice view to Cretan sea.
Places for interest for Gulling are the harbour, the Almyros wetland to the west and the waste tratment site further west. From NHMC there are easy paths to the west (Giofyros river mouth) and to harbour to the east. (next picture). During late November most wintering gulls are present including the common Yellow-legged and Black-headed, also Mediterranean, Caspian, Baltic, Lesser Black-backed, Heuglin's are easy and in most cases Armenian, Slender-billed, Little and Audouini's gulls are present. Pallas Gull is a vagrant with good chance to be present too, other taxa/forms are either vagrants or still unconfirmed for the site.

A map of the town with some hotels here:More information about the Program of the meeting and important dates will be post next month.

Gulls arrived with the North winds...

2009-11-02T12:23:00.006+02:00

October 2009 was not a good gulling month on harbour, possibly a result of ferry "traffic" and absence of good winds. But today I got a typical "winter" gulling day with most wintering species in place. Eight Medirterranean Gulls and 19 Black-headed were seen (first personal observation of both species in harbour this year), also a first-winter Audouni's Gull present:

One heuglini present with 4 adults or sub-adults Baltic Gulls, one of them with noticeable difference in size with the Heuglin's appears here:
Next bird, most possibly a L.f. intermedius in heavy (strange?) moult:
A first-winter unidentified Gull (heuglini?):
No Caspians or Armenians noted, but several immatures of fuscus complex present. Anyway, that was a good winter start!

First autumn observation on harbour - Sep 28

2009-09-29T15:42:00.003+03:00

Few gulls present. Next one, a YLG in primary moult and with a lot of streaks - both give more possibility to be of northern origin:

Two adults LBBGs present, both with no streaks on head. That and mantle colour indicate intermedius. This one in body moult:
And this one more advance - see head:

Four birds in 1st winter plumage gave close views, this one a northern YLG?:

A small birdf with sooty dark markings on mantle, probably Baltic?:

A quite pale bird, but still with dark mantle markings, heuglini?:

And a strange one with a "Caspian" type head:

Late March Gulling

2009-03-27T17:02:00.007+03:00

Rain during the night, north winds - best case of gulling in Herakleion Harbour!
Although late March there are still wintering birds around. At least 15 individuals of the LBBG complex, including the late staying ringed Baltic one, one or two Heuglin's. Also one 2 cal-y Caspian, and several YLG, two Sandwich Terns and one difficult bird as usual!. The strong wind make photography difficult but I try my best!
The well known male Baltic in summer plumage now!:

From left side one Heuglini (lagre with one white mirror on P10, one intermedius type with large white mirror, one LBBG with still wintering plumage, probably subadult, the ringed Baltic and a YLG:

Close view of the two of the previous birds:

And the "suvadult" LLBB again, maybe a female Heuglin's? :

Two more intermedius type adult birds with larhe white mirrors in both R10-P9:

And another LBBG, beside of the YLG with only a small mirror, different bird than previous with long wings and lighter. Probably another Heuglin's? :

The wind plays with the plumage of this presumed as 2nd cal year Baltic Gull:

Caspian I suppose:
And YLG:

Trying to understand the moulting differences between 1st summer Caspian and YLG:

And finally the difficult one! :

From far away was looking as a big Common Gull. Grey/fleshy legs are also remind Common or LBBG cases. The small dark eye reminds a Caspian but look the dark mantle comparing to YLG. Bill too slender for an Armenian Gull. The clean white head with only few streaks, mainly on hindneck looks strange for western LBBG cases in Mar although can be an advanced one. Moult like a Heuglin's but the bird is smaller than a candidate female of that taxon, the head is rounded and the bill is rather slender. So what?

Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls: immature cases

2009-02-13T11:26:00.003+02:00

That picture was taken on Sep 2008 in Herakleion harbour. Some especially the head shape looks quite atypical as 2cy YLG. This reminds more a 3cy Caspian. So, is that a YLG or CG or something else? Usually no Caspians are present in September on Crete:

Most of the local fledged juveniles YLG leave Crete in July-August to unknown areas! The few remaining local YLG in 1stwinter - 2nd winter plumages are pale birds, and this make them difficult to ID in winter together with soame aeging Caspians coming through. Also YLG from unknown origin are coming to winter on Crete (Greece) but their immatures look much darker from locals. Body moults (mandle, covers) and even primary moult seems to be later on such wintering birds.
The next bird is a typical 1st-winter local YLG in January, picture taken in colony of Elafonissi in SW corner of Crete:

The local YLG in 2nd winter (2cy/3cy) are even more scarse on Cretan colonies! Probably because of mortality. Birds of this age are more common on harbours and waste areas but I think they are mostly wintering visitors. The locals may look like this one in November:

And like this one inJanuary:

Possible Caspian in late December 2008, Herakleion:

And another bird in February 2007 with bill and face remind cachinnans, but...:

Finally a bird from February 2001, identificated as an 2cy Armenian:

Mid Winter Gulls, Herakleion-Crete

2009-01-21T18:40:00.006+02:00

Low numbers but good gull diversity this winter.

A candidate female heuglini:

A large heuglini, most probably a male, comparing in size with an "intermedius":

Another adult intermedius type:

Heavily moulted 2nd winter Baltic Gull:

The next 2 birds of type intermedius look different:

Typical michahellis:

Caspian and YLG together:

Adult Armenian:

Slender-billed Gull, a rare visitor in Crete in winter, just the 5th wintering record!:

Apart the YLG there are some difficult cases of immatures.
YLG:

Possible Caspian 1st winter:

Is that a heuglini?:

Most probably a 2nd winter armenicus:

A strange bird, small as an armenicus, darker of michahellis:

Late November Gulls

2008-11-28T17:54:00.006+02:00

After many days with south winds and warm weather this morning, with a north breeze and partly cloudy skies, was perfect for gulling in Heraklion harbour. A good combination of Gull taxa present:

The star of the day was this Baltic Gull, (a male ringed as pullus in Finland in 1995) that came back again to winter here, for 3rd time:

The same bird with a presumed heuglini:

And again with a michahellis and 3 other adults of the fuscus complex, probably all three being intermedius, but what about the one on 1st winter plumage? :

Most probably a heuglini, pink legs, large size:

A nice looking michahellis:

And the most characteristic adult heuglini, a well known individual now!:

Two more of the fuscus complex, probably an intermedius on the back and a (female?) heuglini in front:

A Larus cacchinnans and a presumed intermedius:

Another "fuscus type" with 3 young birds, all probably from the same problematic taxon:

Two different birds in 2nd winter plumage, probably one intermedius, one fuscus:

What about this one? a western type LBBG or a Baltic? something else? any suggestion? :

Michahellis 1st winter:

And michahellis on 2nd winter plumage:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I also give some picture of difficult cases, pictures taken on Nov 6.

A small-sized and short-billed Gull, a possible Larus armenicus:

An interesting young bird, probable michahellis, see bill:

A sub-adult Caspian?:

And another small-sized bird with a grey mantle lighter for being a heuglini or a graelssii, rosy legs, see it with a 1st winter michahellis:

And alone:

Late October Gulls: armenian, steppe or other?

2008-10-31T11:40:00.007+02:00

More Gulls present now in Heraklion harbour. A morning count give as many as 200 michahellis and several darker birds of fuscus complex, with many problematic cases.

On 27th the picture shows a typical Baltic fuscus with a presumed heuglini, compare sizes! :

On the same date a strange individual appeared among the group of michahellis, have a look the darker bird on the back:

Shape of head and long bill cachinnans type, mantle darker grey than michahellis present, legs not so yellow and longer. Another case of a possible barabensis?

Today, 31st a (female?) LBBG appearing as a typical intermedius came very close to me to be a star:

But next one was the most interesting in the company:

Most probably a 2nd winter armenicus? Compare it with the 1st winter and the adult michahellis at the next picture. Small size, mantle color, long legs. Also characteristic bill.

Late September harbour Gulls

2008-09-26T13:58:00.005+03:00

Adult michahellis:

3rdcalyear michahellis:

2ndcalyear michahellis:

Intermedius type bird, with some body moult:

A possible 1stcalyear heuglini, most probably the same individual of early Sep:

Adult candidate heuglini, a huge bird:

Early September, few gulls but interesting ones!

2008-09-05T13:12:00.008+03:00

Primary moulting season continues for YLGs.

A sec-cal-year, presumed also michahellis:

A candidate 1st cal year michahellis which looks already pale in early September on Crete:

This individual could be a heuglini (dark feathers, whitish head, body moult, longish legs):

And this one an audounii, rare on harbour! (thanks to friends that noticed that!):

First Recovery

2008-08-26T11:01:00.004+03:00

Unfortunatelly a dead one found by Apostolis Christopoulos (photographer) on August 21, in Aposelemis river mouth, on north coast of Crete, just 18 km SE of the ringing locality - Dia.

We hope in live birds findings in the near future...

Now, gulls of Crete are almost all gone away, few tens of YLG only seen, we wait the fuscus early September arrivals...

Colour Ringing of YLGs on Crete. Part 4: YLGulls

2008-06-13T17:28:00.005+03:00

Already fledged young, wet or not:

Its first flight:

Fledged one:

Not fledged one:

Still some eggs:

Chick a big one trying to hide:

Parents aggressive above:

Sad:

The colony on Petalidi:

Colour Ringing of YLGs on Crete. Part 3 : Weather

2008-06-13T17:15:00.005+03:00

T-Cu to the north, on early morning of 5/6:

Ac and drops, morning 6/6:

Ac & YLGs in colony:

Sunset, 4/6:

No drops, just moths!:

h stravos einai o gialos...

h stava armenizoume:

Colour Ringing of YLGs on Crete. Part 2 : Team

2008-06-13T17:03:00.005+03:00

The team on Boat:

And on work, Mari searching for chicks:

Mathieu with the first one!!:

Ringer leader Christos teaching and ringing:

Serena:

Elsa:

Myself:

Colour Ringing of YLGs on Crete. Part 1 : Dia island

2008-06-13T16:42:00.005+03:00

Some views from the island of Dia, the site of Colour Ringing. The bay and the small port on the SW corner, June 5 - arrivals of boats for the Ascension Day:

Crete as was shown from Dia on June 6:

The bay on June 4:

And the church on the same evening:

Dia habitats:

The islet of Petalidi, or Glaronissi:

Probably the commonest animal of Dia:

A 2nd summer Caspian?

2008-06-13T16:20:00.002+03:00

No June records are known for Caspian Gulls to Crete. This individual was in captivity with crosscut primaries for unknown time, probably from winter. Looks Caspian to me, because of its head and bill shape and its long legs.

A 3cy heuglini or a 4cy graelsii/intermedius?

2008-03-28T13:58:00.003+03:00

A dark gull, very small in size, compare with the probable Caspian (or YLG?) beside.

The mantle and scapulars colour seems to be good for a 3cy heuglini in Mar but are there females of this race with such a small size? More pictures:

The fuscus complex again...

2008-02-28T14:07:00.011+02:00

Heuglin's Gull:
Here there a series of photos from an individual presumed as an "easy" Larus (fuscus) heuglini taken on Irakleion harbour on 31 Jan 2008.

A large sized gull with yellowish (but not bright yellow) legs:

It was still on primaries moult, see the wing tip:

The head characteristic, see the eye with a "coral red" orbital ring and yellow bill with a red-orange gonys spot on the lower mandible:

Head streaking:

The same individual in flight:

The next picture taken on 30 January shows a Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus fuscus) to the right, with incomplete primary moult and a possible L.f. intermedius in immature plumage:

Here in zoom, any other suggestion for this one?:

Again seen the ringed Baltic gull from Finland (second year presend) on 6 Feb:

Finally another difficult to me bird to ID, taken on 6 Feb. Is it a L.f. graellsii ?:

Kavala gulls - Aris Christidis pictures

2008-01-28T16:04:00.000+02:00

Two photos from a friend from North Greece both need a solution in ID!

An unidentified gull

2007-11-21T14:41:00.000+02:00

Irakleion, Crete harbour, November 20.
The gull of the next photo, second on the left, beside the normal YLG was bigger than most YLGs with darker mantle colouration, more head markings than usual in YLG and the Caspians of the harbour. Although most probably it is another YLG some more things are strange, like the relativelly long tribia together with a large amount of white in wing tips and the long bill:

The same individual with a LBBG, presumed as L. f. intermedius:

Together with YLG, mantle colouration a bit darker although some rain and heavy clouds made it difficult to be shown on photos. But see different bill shape and the longer legs:

In the same date, most probably the same individual:

The amount of the white in wing tips and the mantle colouration seems unlike the typical L.f.heuglini. One suggestion was an hybrid L. cachinnans x L. (f.) heuglini. Compare with a presumed Heuglin's Gull, also today 20/11/2007:

...and one presumed heuglini the previous day (not unlikely the same individual above):

Arrival of Med. Gulls

2007-11-12T13:58:00.001+02:00

Just 4 pics of Mediterranean Gulls, Larus melanocephalus, in several plumages, taken on November 12, 2007 in Irakleion Crete. The date of their first arrival noticed to Irakleion harbour in Nov, 7 this year. Few Black-headed Gulls were seen there from Nov, 5. Generally late arrivals.

November, 8 2007 - Irakleion harbour

2007-11-09T11:39:00.001+02:00

I put 10 photos of non adults, this time, all shown different individuals.

1. Small size, very dark, presumed as a Baltic.2. One presumed as Heuglin's:
3. One presumed as LBBG of graellsii - intermedius group:
4. One small sized with light appearence"
5. A probable Caspian?:
6. Another LBBG of graellsii - intermedius group, most probably:
7. Once more, a probable LBBG of graellsii - intermedius group:
8. No idea, close to Heuglin's?:
9. Somewhere to the fuscus complex...:
This one looks like a bit strange michahellis:

November, 12 addition, A very dark individual:

November 6, new arrivals to Irakleio harbour

2007-11-07T16:03:00.000+02:00

Today, Nov 6, many new arrivals in the harbour of Irakleion noticed.
Some of them are very interesting making again problems in ID.
3-4 presumed taxa together in the following picture, from the left: heuglini, michahellis, fuscus and the last presumed as an intermedius:
The above presumed L. f. intermedius:
A bird that could probably is a western type LBBG (graellsii)? small for heuglini? See the heavy moult in wing covers:
A ringed Baltic Gull, most probably the same individual from last year:Another Baltic Gull:
A presumed L. heuglini a large gull:
A dark 1st winter individual, probably a Baltic?:
This 1st winter was a heavy bird, what is it?:
A very light one, presumed as a Caspian:
And another difficult case. The gull in the middle is obviously smaller and a little darker than the two michahellis behind it. What is it? Armenian? Steppe? Or a very strange female YLG? Note also the dark shadow of the left bird, what is it?:
The same bird in the right, to compare its face with the YLGs ones:

More YLGs, early October, Irakleio, Crete

2007-10-05T14:51:00.001+03:00

YLGs, Larus michahellis, 3 individuals, moulting in both primaries and secondaries.

3rd winter YLG.

2nd winters YLGs

One 1st winter YLG, Oct, 2.

Another 1st winter michahellis Oct, 5. Most local 1st winters YLG are already replacing their greater coverts.

A sub-adult individual, YLG or Caspian?

Gulls of the fuscus complex, Irakleio Oct 2007

2007-10-05T13:59:00.000+03:00

On October 2, 2007 four gulls of the fuscus complex were seen in Irakleio harbour:

One very dark, certainly a Baltic fuscus, one, the larger one, presumed as a Heuglin's and the other two LBBGs presumed as intermedius/graellsii.

Comparison of the Baltic with one presumed intermedius, 2/10/07.

The presumed intermedius, 2/10/07, large mirror, no moult in wing covers.

Baltic Gull, L. f. fuscus, much smaller than michahellis.

October 5, additions

Above there are 3 pictures of one individual presumed as LBBG of the race intermedius or a very light Baltic, fuscus. Note the relatively large white mirror, its moulting in wing covers and the few head markings.

Pictures of one presumed heuglini, probably same individual with the one on Oct 2, as large as most michahellis present. Note the complete moult, the absence of head markings and the small white mirror (sharply cut).

October 11, addition

Two LBBGs of the fuscus complex with a L. michahelis. The one in the middle probably the same individual from October, 5 but the smaller one had more obvious moult in greater coverts and more head markings.

October 18, additions

The small individual of the previous picture? together with a Baltic and 2 YLGs. The LBBG was looking even smaller than the Baltic, with many head markings and so it is not a heuglini. Any possibility of being a graellsii?

The same LBBG showing heavy moult on its covers.

October 24, additions

New arrivals today, October 24, more dark gulls and more problems to be solved!

A medium-size LBBG, heavy head markings, a new individual, where from?

One, still moulting wing coverts, another intermedius?

Another small-sized individual with few head markings and light colour, too small for heuglini?

1st October in Irakleio harbour

2007-10-01T11:30:00.001+03:00

More gulls today in the harbour, few hundreds arrived to the normal dock. Windy and partly cloudy weather, north winds. Some more members of the FUSCUS complex arrived. The first adult Caspian Gull for this season also. Some pictures:

Pictures of YLGs of the eastern Mediterranean populations are uncommon and some people asked me to take as many as possible.

sub-adult YLG

YLG

two individuals looking as "classics" 1st winter YLG

2 YLGs

this one with light colour, is it a Caspian?

Above 3 pictures of a sub-adult individual. Probably heuglini or graeslli/intermedius.
Any suggestion is welcome.

No idea! but suggested as Caspian by an expert.

A YLG with deformed bill.

GULLS BACK TO IRAKLEIO PORT

2007-09-25T12:00:00.001+03:00

Presumed 1st winter Armenian Gull with a YLG, 25 Sep 2007

Baltic Gull with a YLG, 25 Sep 2007

Baltic Gull, 25 Sep 2007

A Baltic fuscus or a LBBG intermedius? (28/9/2007)

Probable 1st winter Baltic Gull, 25 Sep 2007

Presumed 1st winter Baltic Gull, 22 Sep 2007

1st winter Baltic Gull, 22 Sep 2007 (same individual as previous)

1st winter Baltic Gull, 22 Sep 2007 (same individual as previous, with a 1st winter YLG)

Larus michahellis, wing moult, 22/09/2007

Icterine warbler in a very strange habitat!

The Gulls of Crete in May

2007-04-27T18:07:00.000+03:00

May is breeding season. Larus michahellis (Yellow-legged Gull) is common everywhere on Crete. Costs, damps, reservoirs, olive plantations, even in plateaus at high mountains! In some areas breeding colonies are close to humans, for example the Elafonissi area but most colonies are in remote islets. The population is still uknown, at least 4000 pairs and certainly increasing.

Larus audounii (Audouin's Gull) is a local breeder on some islets in NE Crete that are generally difficult to access and that is good for them! But some breed close to turistic areas (e.g. Elounda). It is endagered in Greece and the Cretan population is very small, only few tens of pairs. May is the best month to see them on Crete.

All other species of Gulls are rare this season on Crete and only Larus fuscus fuscus (Baltic Gull) is regular as migrant, but in very low numbers, mainly in early May. In harbours may stay some immatures Caspian, Black-headed and Meditteranean or rarely other species.

18/01/2007: A Gulling Day with Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T13:04:00.000+03:00

On January 18, 2007 Christos arrived early morning to Crete to take some photos of Armenian Gulls in Irakleion harbour. Armenian were not in his gallery as it is a rarity in mainland Greece. Such a good luck! At least 3 adult Armenians where there! But also many other large gulls! We both have the oppurtunity to watch, and Christos to take pictures of every single gull of few hundrends resting in the east part of the port. Some of them are really interesting as the following pictures shown. ID problems still remain for some individuals and a probable "first" for Crete and Greece gull species (or subspecies), the Steppe Gull is including in Christos excellent photos!

Larus cachinnans, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:59:00.000+03:00

Together Caspian Gull - Larus cachinnans in front and Yellow-legged - Larus michahellis beside. See legs length and colour, bills shape, eyes, wing tips and mantles colour.

Mystery Gull, Photos by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:51:00.000+03:00

A mystery gull with "hood" recalling "Atlantic Gull".
Larger and lighter than Armenians but bill like those.
Comments are welcome!

Larus armenicus, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:49:00.000+03:00

An Armenian Gull with few head markings

Larus armenicus, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:46:00.000+03:00

There are no head markings in this Armenian

A possible Steppe Gull. Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:34:00.000+03:00

Steppe Gull [Larus (cachinnans-heuglini-fuscus) barabensis] was my opinion from the first view. Me and Christos were watced that bird for long, it was a small gull of the large white headed group, smaller than Caspians, Yellow-legged and Heuglin's of the group occured on 18 January 2007 on Irakleion harbour. It had the same mantle colour as the three adult Armenians we watched there but longer bill and not a very dark eye. Legs yellow not as bright as michahellis, not very long. I am not sure if it was a full adult individual.
Possibility of being an abberant small female Yellow-legged limited because of its darker mantle and, if it was an adult, the wing formula.
Possibility of being Armenian also limited due to long bill and shape.
Possibility of being a Heuglin's Gull limited due to lighter mantle and to the small size.

If accepted will be the first Steppe Gull in Greece! Photos with better quality are available if somebody want to see.

Larus (f) heuglini, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:11:00.000+03:00

This Gull with almost orange legs was difficult to ID. Finnaly my opinion is "heuglini" as some experts told.

Larus (f) heuglini, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:10:00.000+03:00

Larus fuscus. Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T12:00:00.001+03:00

An individual with moulted wing. Most probably a Larus f. fuscus due to its size and moutling season, although mantle colouration not as dark as in typical Baltic.

A Baltic Gull with a metal ring from Finland, photos by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:49:00.000+03:00

At least 3 Larus fuscus fuscus ringed as pullus in Finland recovered in Irakleio!
This one was firstly seen to harbour October 13, 2006 and left in mid March 2007.
Ringed as pullus by Risto Juvaste on July 1995!

Larus sp, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:37:00.000+03:00

Larus sp, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:28:00.000+03:00

Larus sp, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:24:00.000+03:00

Larus (f) heuglini, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:22:00.000+03:00

Larus sp, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:16:00.000+03:00

Larus (f) heuglini, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:11:00.000+03:00

Larus fuscus, Photo by Christos Vlachos

2007-04-25T11:03:00.000+03:00

A mystery gull, Irakleion harbour, April 4, 2007

2007-04-24T19:06:00.003+03:00

This one was much larger than typical "melanocephalus" (Mediterranean) but "small" for "ichthyaetus" (Pallas's). Three pictures (2 of them with zoom in another view) are showed.
This individual came from the east, didn't stay long, did not share the company of the conspesific group, that were feeding and rested just few hundred meters away, but left back to the east soon. Why such a behaviour? Is any possibility of being something else of "melanocephalus"? Is Relict Gull (Larus relictus) a possibility? Colors of bill and legs unlikely to Palla's Gull. Another possibility, a hybrid of melanocephalus x genei has been suspected.
Now, updated this in September 2008, I think of the possibility of an hybrid melanocephalus x ichthyaetus. They are now considered to be close relatives in the same new genus Ichthyaetus.

zoom on air:

The same bird landing:

with a michahellis to compare sizes:

on ground, showing long bill and legs: