The Gull is a very interesting bird, but I am troubled by the bill. The dark black mark is not normal for Yellow-legged Gull and also the bill seems to broaden at the tip a bit too much compared to the pictures in Gulls of the Americas. I think that the possibility of a Herring Gull X Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid also needs to be considered. I would be interested in what some experts in European Gulls think of this bird. David Becher Saint Louis Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:13:46 -0800From: [log in to unmask]: Mixed bag:To: [log in to unmask] IYEPD (if your elite please delete) St. Louis city. St.Charles county. MO. The Carondelet Park Merlin was in different trees ringing the fountain lake: Monday: overcast http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-9-09d.jpg Tuesday:sunny http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-10-09i.jpg Here a American Robin (Labrador form): Black of hood bleeds onto upper back: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-9-09c.jpg contrast between black back and grey rump: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-9-09b.jpg RMBS Ellis Bay (all): http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-11-09m.jpg If your gulled out quit now: Here a couple of heart rushers: do you see it: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-11-09e.jpg small adult white-winged gull: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-11-09h.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-11-09n.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-11-09o.jpg Here a gull plumage I've never seen: (Tue. did not see Wed.) Grey-backed; yellow legs; light eye; red/black gony spot: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-10-09d.jpg super lightened: field marks fit Yellow-legged Gull (L.m.michahellis) http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-10-09h.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/2-10-09j.jpg Add LBIMO (like bird in my opinion) to all bird ID. Bill Rudden St. Louis [log in to unmask] The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto:[log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: May 1-3, 2009 in Columbia, MO. http://www.mobirds.org