Some leftovers from yesterday's birding at Ashdod. These are two gulls that really puzzled me, and after some homework and consulting other experts (thanks Amir!) I have a better idea of what they are.
This first gull is a
Steppe Gull (
Larus barabensis) - note especially the tricoloured bill, the small eye, the prominent gonys, and black tongues up to P4 - all good features for this taxon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1O1Fa7bbag3LVSgt5ocawLngdajWbH55k_K1-PN_ZXFqMx0OSJfWrxUvomNEXWbVyD3vWQeUksMYGvizd3523y05X_OeS0gOUyHmZyyRWa80J7YMI2f72MB4XmzSqzBDwpqARFcR4VpM/s400/gull+sp+2.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfuriw2a7NVxbmNfysOFDsWJL0mRSiQ_uHMoW55gKnFCRdbL1h8Xb1HpefPvr8emXKwf8OZXqmzP1NRqXZYt-hbBOVrw5Jvr6gTVUEvyq292pEXq6xuBy5XkTdg1Ldj-Z3YI2ZaBPNjwe/s400/gull+sp+2+flight.jpg)
This second gull is a very difficult one, but the concensus is that it is a
Lesser Black-backed Gull (
Larus fuscus intermedius) from a population originating in N Norway. This is a 3rd-winter bird. Note the very pale eye, typical mantle colour and heavily streaked head and neck.
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