Thanks Mike. Unfortunately we couldn't see the bill as it had passed us
before we noticed the tail. One thing that I can say is that we *did* notice
the white on the trailing edge of the wing - although I couldn't say with
any certainty that it was much wider than the Pacific Gull's. It's a pity
that we didn't see the Kelp? And Pacific Gulls simultaneously.
Paul Dodd
Docklands, Melbourne
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Carter
Sent: Monday, 11 February 2008 10:14 PM
To: Paul Dodd; BIRDING-AUS
Cc: BA VicGroup Sightings
Subject: Kelp Gull at WTP
Paul, you're gull might well have been a Kelp Gull but your description
doesn't prove it. At this time of the year Pacific Gulls moult their tails
so can and often do lack the normally diagnostic black subterminal band. You
need to note other characters such as width of white on trailing edge of
wing or/and bill structure and colouration to confirm the ID.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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