Part 2 - Updated 25.1.11 Israel large Ad Gulls of Israel Identification guide

Field identification guide Field identification guide to large gulls in Israelto large gulls in Israel

Created byCreated by : :Amir Ben Dov and Yoav Perlman, October 2009Amir Ben Dov and Yoav Perlman, October 2009Updated June 2010Updated June 2010

[email protected]@gmail.com [email protected]@gmail.com

Moderator:Moderator:Mars muusse, Ehud DovratMars muusse, Ehud Dovrat

Special thanks:Special thanks:Morten Helberg – Norway, Risto Juvaste – Finland, Morten Helberg – Norway, Risto Juvaste – Finland, Theo Muusse – The Netherlands, Hadoram Shirihai, Theo Muusse – The Netherlands, Hadoram Shirihai, Prof. Peter de Knijff - The Netherlands, Klaus Malling Olsen,Prof. Peter de Knijff - The Netherlands, Klaus Malling Olsen,Liebers, DLiebers, D

Images: Images: Theo Muusse, Mars muusse Gal Shon, Avi Meir, Yoav Theo Muusse, Mars muusse Gal Shon, Avi Meir, Yoav Perlman, Perlman, Amir Ben DovAmir Ben Dov

* Unless stated otherwise, all images by Amir Ben Dov* Unless stated otherwise, all images by Amir Ben Dov © © All images are copyright of the photographersAll images are copyright of the photographers

Part 2Part 2

Heuglin’s Gull - Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heugliniLarus heugliniMain ID features at restMain ID features at rest

BillBill –– strong and heavy strong and heavy

GonysGonys –– big and prominentbig and prominent

LegsLegs –– long and thicklong and thick

EyeEye – pale iris– pale iris

Size Size – can vary from– can vary from very large gullsvery large gulls(slide 3) to very slim gentle females (slide 3) to very slim gentle females (slide 9) , but most will look as large (slide 9) , but most will look as large gulls gulls

Mantle colorMantle color – very dark, perhaps the – very dark, perhaps the darkest of all “pale gulls”, can be as darkest of all “pale gulls”, can be as dark as dark as fuscus intermediusfuscus intermedius

Special featuresSpecial features – in winter, nape and – in winter, nape and back of head are heavily streaked. back of head are heavily streaked. From mid January – March nape From mid January – March nape becomes clean white, or with faint becomes clean white, or with faint streaks on napestreaks on nape

Status in IsraelStatus in Israel – main wintering – main wintering population arrives November – mid population arrives November – mid March, mainly along Med. coast and March, mainly along Med. coast and Eilat. Migrating birds arrive late Eilat. Migrating birds arrive late September, can be seen mainly at September, can be seen mainly at Ashdod seashore and ponds (Yavne 4). Ashdod seashore and ponds (Yavne 4).

Only ssp. Only ssp. heugliniheuglini recorded in Israel, recorded in Israel, taimyrensistaimyrensis unrecorded yet. unrecorded yet.

Main ID features of adult in flightMain ID features of adult in flight

WingWing – black on P10 to P4 (and even 3), – black on P10 to P4 (and even 3), large white mirror on P10 and large white mirror on P10 and sometimes small mirror on P9. sometimes small mirror on P9.

Large grey moons on P7 to P5, Large grey moons on P7 to P5, observed regularly in the field, observed regularly in the field, unmentioned in literature. This unmentioned in literature. This distinctive feature can also be seen in distinctive feature can also be seen in barabensisbarabensis and should be further and should be further studiedstudied. .

Heuglin’s Gull - Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heugliniLarus heuglini winter plumage, Ashdod winter plumage, Ashdod 15/1/0815/1/08

Usually large and bulky,streaked hindneck and nape in winter

Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heuglini, spring plumage, Ashdod 15/1/08

Compare with previous slide:Compare with previous slide:same date, 2 different same date, 2 different plumages / moult stagesplumages / moult stages

Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heuglini, winter plumage, Ashdod 15/1/08

Much larger gull than Baltic Gull

Heuglin’s Gull - Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heugliniLarus heuglini, Ashdod 30/1/10, Ashdod 30/1/10

Some individuals may show faint stripes on hindneck also in January

Long tarsus

Dark mantle and wing coverts

Heuglin’s Gull - Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heugliniLarus heuglini, Ashdod 6/1/10, Ashdod 6/1/10

Large mirror on P10, small mirror on P9

Faint fuscus - likesecondary pattern, medium-dark secondaries

Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heuglini, Eilat 1/3/08

Black P10-P4Large mirror on P10,small mirror on P9

Clear contrast betweenblack wingtip and rest of upperparts(no contrast in fuscus)

Large grey / White crescents on P7 – P5

Heuglin’s Gull - Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heugliniLarus heuglini, very small female, Ashdod (Yavne 4) , very small female, Ashdod (Yavne 4)

19/9/0919/9/09(in the back - Baltic Gull)(in the back - Baltic Gull)

Extremely small females almostsame size as female fuscus !

Heuglin’s Gull – Heuglin’s Gull – Larus heugliniLarus heuglini 2 2ndnd winter, possibly male winter, possibly male

Ashdod seashore 2/1/10Ashdod seashore 2/1/10

Heuglin’s Gull - Heuglin’s Gull - Larus heugliniLarus heuglini 2 2ndnd CY, CY, Ashdod (Yavne 4) 11/12/10Ashdod (Yavne 4) 11/12/10

Heuglin's Gull Larus heuglini

1st winter Ashdod 6/1/10

Heuglin's Gull – Larus heuglini 1st winter, Ashdod 8/1/10

Baltic Gull – Baltic Gull – Larus fuscus fuscusLarus fuscus fuscusMain ID features at rest

BillBill – long and straight, rather thin– long and straight, rather thin

GonysGonys –– smallsmall to unnoticeableto unnoticeable

LegsLegs – very short and moderately thin– very short and moderately thin

EyeEye – dark till 2– dark till 2ndnd summer, in adults very summer, in adults very pale but not white. Orbital ring red in pale but not white. Orbital ring red in summer and autumn, but red still noticeable summer and autumn, but red still noticeable in winterin winter

SizeSize – medium sized gull slender with – medium sized gull slender with elongated rear, it is the smallest of all large elongated rear, it is the smallest of all large gulls and the easiest to identify, when gulls and the easiest to identify, when compared with the Intermedius and the compared with the Intermedius and the graellsii (not definitely recorded in Israel) graellsii (not definitely recorded in Israel) who are much palerwho are much paler

Mantle ColorMantle Color – usually coal Black, but shows – usually coal Black, but shows variations with individuals showing paler variations with individuals showing paler mantle, fron heuglini type (in intermedius) mantle, fron heuglini type (in intermedius) up to armenicus pale (in Graellsii)up to armenicus pale (in Graellsii)

Special featuresSpecial features – some individuals – some individuals (especially from Norway) can be heavily (especially from Norway) can be heavily streaked on the head and nape (see slide streaked on the head and nape (see slide 42)42)

Status in IsraelStatus in Israel – second commonest gull – second commonest gull after after armenicusarmenicus, especially on migration, in , especially on migration, in autumn seen from mid August in migration autumn seen from mid August in migration and in spring until late May. Winters in and in spring until late May. Winters in Israel in large numbers mainly in Ashdod Israel in large numbers mainly in Ashdod area.area.

Main ID features of adult in flight

WingWing – very typical, the easiest – very typical, the easiest underwing of all large gulls of Israel underwing of all large gulls of Israel (see slide 57) – totally dark (see slide 57) – totally dark secondariessecondaries

for further information: for further information: Press HerePress Here

Black back

Baltic Gull – Larus fuscus fuscus, Ashdod 19/9/09


Image by Gal Shon ©


Easily identified in flight - all underwingremiges black

Baltic Gull – Larus fuscus fuscus 1st winter, (ringed as pullus on 27.7.08)

Ashdod 27/2/09

Very dark body, wings and mantle

Baltic Gull – Baltic Gull – Larus fuscus fuscusLarus fuscus fuscus 1st winter Ashdod 1st winter Ashdod

2/10/092/10/09

Very dark head, body, wings and mantle

Baltic Gull – Baltic Gull – Larus fuscus fuscusLarus fuscus fuscus 1st winter, Ashdod 24/9/09 1st winter, Ashdod 24/9/09

Very dark body, underwing covertsand primaries

Comparison between 1st winter Baltic Gull and 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull

Paler brown bird

Dark brown bird

Mantle and wing coverts with darkcenters and thin white margins

Relatively short legs

Relatively long and thick legs

Delicate head and bill

Massive head and bill

Baltic Gull 1st winter Ashdod 11/12/09

Yellow-legged Gull juvenile, Tel Aviv University Zoological Garden 18/6/10

Both can be seen together on Israeli coasts during late August to mid September

Mantle and wing coverts with smaller Dark centers and broader white margins

Baltic Gull –Baltic Gull – Larus fuscus fuscusLarus fuscus fuscus, advanced 1, advanced 1stst winter, winter,

Ashdod 27/2/09Ashdod 27/2/09

Note active post-juvenile moult. All 2nd generation feathers veryneat, recently replaced, vs. steppe - taxa which have the post-juv moultmuch earlier in the year (active moult in Aug-Sept)

2nd generation feathers

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus Larus fuscus intermediusintermedius

Main ID features at restMain ID features at rest

BillBill –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

GonysGonys –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

LegsLegs –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

EyeEye – as in – as in fuscusfuscus

SizeSize –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

Mantle ColorMantle Color – variation between dark – variation between dark heugliniheuglini to to armenicusarmenicus..It is important to mention that there It is important to mention that there are as many as 6-8 black / grey levels are as many as 6-8 black / grey levels within the normal variation of this within the normal variation of this taxon, and therefore it is difficult to taxon, and therefore it is difficult to positively ID unringed birds according positively ID unringed birds according to mantle colors. to mantle colors.

Status in IsraelStatus in Israel – as in – as in fuscusfuscus but much but much rarer, some tens are possibly seen rarer, some tens are possibly seen from September to late March. See from September to late March. See also next slide.also next slide.Most are regarded as ‘Most are regarded as ‘intermedius-intermedius-typetype”, with small female ”, with small female heugliniheuglini being the main pitfall. Best separated being the main pitfall. Best separated by head and neck streaking.by head and neck streaking.


WingWing – as in – as in fuscusfuscus, but of course , but of course lighterlighter

Upperwing shows contrast between Upperwing shows contrast between primaries (P10-P5) and rest of wingprimaries (P10-P5) and rest of wing

intermedius is slightly darker than intermedius is slightly darker than graellsii, graellsii,

but it shares the same moult strategy but it shares the same moult strategy in in

autumnautumn

► No certain photographs in IsraelNo certain photographs in Israel► Possibly very rare in IsraelPossibly very rare in Israel► 2 observations of definite 2 observations of definite intermedius intermedius : :

1. 1. Ring J4N4 dark blue collected at Dugit Ring J4N4 dark blue collected at Dugit sea shore 31°58‘54"N 034°48‘62"E sea shore 31°58‘54"N 034°48‘62"E on 2/10/2003, ringed as pullus at Rauna, on 2/10/2003, ringed as pullus at Rauna, Farsund, Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway 58°03'33"N 06°40'10"EVest-Agder, Norway 58°03'33"N 06°40'10"E seen since than every year in the nesting seen since than every year in the nesting grounds grounds during May - July during May - July Last seen in its breeding colony on 30/7/2010Last seen in its breeding colony on 30/7/2010

2. 2. Ring JV7K dark blue, observed by Ehud Dovrat,Ring JV7K dark blue, observed by Ehud Dovrat, Ashdod 10 and 15/9/08Ashdod 10 and 15/9/08

► This Ssp. true ID and status of this taxon in Israel This Ssp. true ID and status of this taxon in Israel needs to be further studiedneeds to be further studied

Lesser Black-backed Gull ssp. (possibly Lesser Black-backed Gull ssp. (possibly inermediusinermedius) Ashdod ) Ashdod

30/10/0930/10/09

Dark grey mantle,Not coal blacklike fuscus

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus ssp Ashdod, 27/2/10

P10 is little short (same length as P9)Therefore it may well be Larus fuscus fuscus and not intermedius

Lesser Black Backed Gull – Larus fuscus ssp, Ashdod 9/1/08. Ringed in Nordfugløy, Karlsøy, Troms, Norway, in a mixed

colony of L.f.intermedius and L.f.fuscus

Lesser Black backed Gull – Larus fuscus intermedius (front bird), Stavanger, 2/11/02, Westkapelle, the Netherlands, Image by Mars Muusse

©

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus graellsiiLarus fuscus graellsii


BillBill –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

gonysgonys –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

LegsLegs –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

EyeEye – as in – as in fuscusfuscus

SizeSize –– as in as in fuscusfuscus

Mantle and head colorMantle and head color – varies from dark – varies from dark heugliniheuglini upup to paler to paler michahellis.michahellis. In In winter shows extensive dark head winter shows extensive dark head streaks with white face; such individuals streaks with white face; such individuals have never been seen in Israel have never been seen in Israel

Status in IsraelStatus in Israel – uncertain, individuals – uncertain, individuals possibly of this taxon seen annually possibly of this taxon seen annually along the Ashdod - Ma'agan Michael along the Ashdod - Ma'agan Michael seashore.seashore.No confirmed records from Israel of this No confirmed records from Israel of this taxon.taxon.

Due to mixed colonies, hybridization and Due to mixed colonies, hybridization and variation in mantle colors of all variation in mantle colors of all fuscusfuscus taxa, taxa, graellsiigraellsii cannot be separated from cannot be separated from intermediusintermedius if unringed! if unringed!


WingWing – as in fuscus, but lighter – as in fuscus, but lighter colors Upperwing with contrast colors Upperwing with contrast between primaries (P10-P5) and rest between primaries (P10-P5) and rest of wingof wing

graellsii is slightly lighter then graellsii is slightly lighter then intermedius but it shares the same intermedius but it shares the same moult strategy in autumnmoult strategy in autumn

note the “Dutch intergrade’ formnote the “Dutch intergrade’ formDutch intergrade refer to birds from Dutch intergrade refer to birds from the Continental North Sea coast, which the Continental North Sea coast, which

are are intermediate in grey tone between intermediate in grey tone between

graellsii graellsii and intermediusand intermedius

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Lesser Black-backed Gull – Larus fuscus graellsiiLarus fuscus graellsii intergraded with ‘Dutch’ intergraded with ‘Dutch’ intermediusintermedius (right), and (right), and L. f. fuscusL. f. fuscus (left). (left). Westkapelle, the Netherlands, 01/10/2009, image by Theo Muusse ©Westkapelle, the Netherlands, 01/10/2009, image by Theo Muusse ©

Lesser Black-backed Gull – Lesser Black-backed Gull – Larus fuscusLarus fuscus graellsiigraellsii, , 22/10/01, Westkapelle, the Netherlands, image by Mars Muusse 22/10/01, Westkapelle, the Netherlands, image by Mars Muusse

©©

Heavily streaked headwith white face

Lesser Black backed Gull - Lesser Black backed Gull - Larus fuscus graellsiiLarus fuscus graellsii adult female ringed adult female ringed in the UK, 3/4/03 Nachtegalenkeet, Maasvlakte, the Netherlands by in the UK, 3/4/03 Nachtegalenkeet, Maasvlakte, the Netherlands by

Mars Muusse © Mars Muusse ©

Great Black-backed Gull - Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinusLarus marinus


BillBill –– heavy and largeheavy and large

GonysGonys –– massivemassive

LegsLegs –– pink in all plumages and agespink in all plumages and ages

EyeEye –– pale but not white pale but not white

SizeSize –– the largest of all gulls, larger the largest of all gulls, larger than than ichthyaetusichthyaetus

Mantle colorMantle color –– variation between variation between black black as as fuscusfuscus or paler between or paler between heugliniheuglini and and fuscus fuscus

Status in IsraelStatus in Israel – extremely rare, – extremely rare, but since January 2006 an adult has but since January 2006 an adult has been returning annually to winter at been returning annually to winter at Acre port and coast from 3Acre port and coast from 3rdrd week of week of October – mid MarchOctober – mid March


WingWing – resembles – resembles fuscusfuscus in upperparts in upperparts and underparts, though more grayish and underparts, though more grayish and less black upperwing.and less black upperwing.

Extensive white on P10, P9 and white Extensive white on P10, P9 and white tips to P6tips to P6

Broad white upperwing trailing edgeBroad white upperwing trailing edge

Great Black-backed Gull - Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinusLarus marinus, Acre port , Acre port 10/3/0910/3/09

Dark back almost as fuscus

Massive head andbill

Great Black-backed Gull - Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinusLarus marinus, Acre port , Acre port 10/3/0910/3/09

P10 – tip all whiteP9 - tip all - almost all white

Great Black backed Gull - Great Black backed Gull - Larus marinusLarus marinus, Acre Port , Acre Port 10/3/0910/3/09

Pink legs

Broad whiteTrailing edge

Great Black-Great Black-backed Gull backed Gull Larus Larus marinusmarinus

Acre port 1/1/10Acre port 1/1/10

P10/9 – tip all white

fuscus-like underwing but broader trailing edge

Pallas’s Gull - Pallas’s Gull - Larus ichthyaetusLarus ichthyaetusMain ID features at restMain ID features at rest

ThisThis is a distinctive and well-described gull, a distinctive and well-described gull, shows rather limited variationshows rather limited variation

BillBill –– long,long, orange with black ring and white orange with black ring and white tip, swollen towards tip tip, swollen towards tip

GonysGonys –– no special charactersno special characters

LegsLegs –– no special charactersno special characters

EyeEye – dark– dark

SizeSize –– the second largest gull in Israelthe second largest gull in Israel(after (after marinusmarinus) )

HeadHead– in summer completely black with – in summer completely black with beautiful white (“broken”) orbital ring.beautiful white (“broken”) orbital ring.In winter and in all ages (from 1In winter and in all ages (from 1st st winter winter onwards) head shows extensive black onwards) head shows extensive black markingsmarkings

Mantle ColorMantle Color –quite pale grey –quite pale grey

Status in IsraelStatus in Israel – a winter visitor from late – a winter visitor from late October – late March (but most arrive in October – late March (but most arrive in January).January).Seen along the costal areas, in Bet She’an Seen along the costal areas, in Bet She’an Valley and the kineret lake. In some years Valley and the kineret lake. In some years up to 2000 birds can be seen in the Bet up to 2000 birds can be seen in the Bet She’an Valley.She’an Valley.


WingWing – P10 to P5 tips with very little – P10 to P5 tips with very little black and massive white mirrors and black and massive white mirrors and tonguestongues

Extensive white primaries from third Extensive white primaries from third winter make it easy to identify at any winter make it easy to identify at any distancedistance

Pallas’s Gull - Pallas’s Gull - Larus ichthyaetusLarus ichthyaetus, Ashdod 15/1/08, Ashdod 15/1/08


Pallas’s Gull 2Pallas’s Gull 2ndnd CY - CY - Larus ichthyaetusLarus ichthyaetus, Ashdod 22/1/11, Ashdod 22/1/11


Pallas’s Gull - Pallas’s Gull - Larus Larus ichthyaetusichthyaetus, Maagan michael , Maagan michael

18/1/11 18/1/11

Some Some imagesimages of of unidentified gullsunidentified gulls

These images emphasize the These images emphasize the huge variation seen in the huge variation seen in the

fieldfield

Not every gull can or Not every gull can or should be identifiedshould be identified

Larus sp. possibly heuglini – Eilat 1/3/08

Ehud Dovrat, March 2009Ehud Dovrat, March 2009

Ehud is the pioneer of gulls color rings tracking and of gull identification Ehud is the pioneer of gulls color rings tracking and of gull identification in Israel in Israel

Gull-watching in IsraelGull-watching in Israel

Major gull watching Major gull watching sites in Israel – sites in Israel – where and whenwhere and when

Acre area and northern Med. coastcachinnans December – March, up to 6000armenicus October – Marchmichahellis several pairs breeding on islands off Rosh Hanikra April – August

Ma’agan Michael: sea shore and fishpondsarmenicus present year round, many hundreds in spring, many Thousands in winterichthyaetus December – Early March, Up to 100michahellis 2-4 pairs breeding on Pigeon Island April – August

Tel Aviv metropolinTel Aviv univ. and Ramat Gan Safarimichahellis 7-10 pairs breeding, April – Julyarmenicus October - March

Ashdod - Yavne 4 ponds, seashore and rubbish dump – the prime gull watching site in Israelfuscus September – mid April, up to 1000heuglini October – mid March, up to 300cachinnans December – mid March, up to 500barabensis November – mid march, up to 200armenicus October – March mainly 1st - 2nd winter birds

Lake Kinneret and Bet She’an Valley armenicus October – March (thousands)ichthyaetus December – early March, up to 1500

Eilat – north beach, KM 19, KM 20fuscus strong migration in spring, mid March – late Mayheuglini mid March – late May

Harod Valleyarmenicus October – March (many hundreds)ichthyaetus December – early March, hundreds

Caspian gulls – Caspian gulls – Larus cachinnansLarus cachinnans flock in an afternoon pre-roost flock in an afternoon pre-roost

gathering, gathering, part of a 5000 birds flock , Acre Valley 22/1/10part of a 5000 birds flock , Acre Valley 22/1/10

Pallas's Gulls - Pallas's Gulls - Larus ichthyaetus, Larus ichthyaetus, Israel highest record number Israel highest record number (1300+)(1300+)

Sde Eliyahu, Bet She’an Valley 21/2/08Sde Eliyahu, Bet She’an Valley 21/2/08

Ashdod – Israel's top site for Ashdod – Israel's top site for gull gull wwatching and for color atching and for color ring reading. ring reading. This site comprises of three This site comprises of three sub-sites which hugely attract sub-sites which hugely attract gullsgulls

1. Shallow water ponds 1. Shallow water ponds 2. Open garbage dump 2. Open garbage dump 3. Sea shore3. Sea shore

Development threats are Development threats are hovering over this site (new hovering over this site (new highway, new industrial zone). highway, new industrial zone).

Will it last ? Will it last ?

Mixed gulls, AshdodMixed gulls, Ashdod: : heuglini, fuscus, cachinnans, armenicusheuglini, fuscus, cachinnans, armenicus Ashdod 20/1/10 Yoav Perlman Ashdod 20/1/10 Yoav Perlman ©©

Reading color rings in Israel Reading color rings in Israel Most rings in Israel are read nowadays in Ashdod sea shore and Most rings in Israel are read nowadays in Ashdod sea shore and

PondsPonds

31°51‘09"N 34°42‘26"E

Ben Zakai reservoir, Ben Zakai reservoir, alternative resting pointalternative resting point

Yavne 4 pondsYavne 4 ponds

Yavne 3 pondsYavne 3 ponds

Reading color rings in IsraelReading color rings in Israel

• In late 1990’s (12/98 – 3/02) 7 Russian and 6 Ukraine In late 1990’s (12/98 – 3/02) 7 Russian and 6 Ukraine cachinnanscachinnans rings read rings read at Shifdan (former Dan sewage farm) and Ashdod at Shifdan (former Dan sewage farm) and Ashdod (Ehud Dovrat)(Ehud Dovrat). Since then all . Since then all rings read rings read in Israel are of in Israel are of Larus fuscus fuscusLarus fuscus fuscus

• Best period to read color rings is from the 3Best period to read color rings is from the 3rdrd week of September till late week of September till late MarchMarch

• The ring code consists of color and digits / lettersThe ring code consists of color and digits / letters

• As there are now too few free numbers left it became possible to read the As there are now too few free numbers left it became possible to read the same number on 2 different colors. Therefore it is essential to record both same number on 2 different colors. Therefore it is essential to record both color and number.color and number.

• Rings starting with Rings starting with JJ ringed in ringed in NorwayNorway Rings starting with Rings starting with CC ringed in ringed in FinlandFinland Rings starting with Rings starting with MM and and AA ringed in ringed in SwedenSweden Rings starting with Rings starting with VV ringed in ringed in DenmarkDenmark (seen only once in Israel By Ehud (seen only once in Israel By Ehud

Dovrat)Dovrat)

• One of the world leading gulls ringers Risto Juvaste from Finland is leading a One of the world leading gulls ringers Risto Juvaste from Finland is leading a project ringing gulls in the White Sea area, southern Russia, and Finland. project ringing gulls in the White Sea area, southern Russia, and Finland. These rings are yellow These rings are yellow KJKJ_ _ (ringed at Onega lake, _ _ (ringed at Onega lake, RussiaRussia), white ), white CC_ __ _NN (ringed in(ringed in FinlandFinland), and white ), and white KRKR_ _ (ringed at_ _ (ringed at Solovetsky island, Onega Solovetsky island, Onega Bay White Sea, Bay White Sea, RussiaRussia))

• RedRed Rings with white digits / letters, starting with Rings with white digits / letters, starting with UU ( (fuscus, armenicus, fuscus, armenicus, barabensis, cachinnans ect.barabensis, cachinnans ect.), were ), were ringed in Israelringed in Israel by Yoav Perlman after by Yoav Perlman after rehabilitationrehabilitationin the NPA Wildlife Hospital or trapped at Ashdodin the NPA Wildlife Hospital or trapped at Ashdod

Armenian Gull – Larus armenicus ringed at Afek NPA Hospital 8/1/2010

Gulls color ringing in Israel

Since 2008 red color rings Since 2008 red color rings beginning with U are being used beginning with U are being used in Israelin Israel

Some birds were found Some birds were found poisoned / exhausted, poisoned / exhausted, rehabilitated rehabilitated at NPA Wildlife Hospital and at NPA Wildlife Hospital and released: released: fuscusfuscus, , armenicusarmenicus, , cachinnanscachinnans

Other gulls were trapped at Other gulls were trapped at Ashdod: Ashdod: fuscusfuscus, , armenicusarmenicus, , cachinnanscachinnans

michahellismichahellis pullus ringed since pullus ringed since May 2010 in Tel Aviv University May 2010 in Tel Aviv University Zoological GardenZoological Garden

Some links to recommended gulls sitesSome links to recommended gulls sites

► Gull topography 1Gull topography 1► Gull topography 2Gull topography 2► wwwwww..gullgull--researchresearch..orgorg (WP top site) (WP top site)► Identification of 2CY heuglini gullIdentification of 2CY heuglini gull► Identification of 2CY fuscus gullIdentification of 2CY fuscus gull► http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/articles/chttp://www.berksbirds.co.uk/articles/c

aspiangullid.aspaspiangullid.asp

Selected ReferencesSelected References► Olsen, K.M, and Larsson, H. (2005). Olsen, K.M, and Larsson, H. (2005). Gulls of Europe, Asia and North Gulls of Europe, Asia and North

AmericaAmerica. Helm, London.. Helm, London.

► Liebers, D., de Knijff, P. and Helbig, A. J. (2004). The herring gull Liebers, D., de Knijff, P. and Helbig, A. J. (2004). The herring gull complex is not a ring species. complex is not a ring species. Proc. R. Soc. LondProc. R. Soc. Lond. 271: 893-901.. 271: 893-901.

Enjoy gulling!Enjoy gulling!

Education

Part 2 - Updated 25.1.11 Israel large Ad Gulls of Israel Identification guide