3cy Caspian Gull 19.1.2014

Yesterday Jarkko, William and me joined Pepe as he was doing his gull survey in Ämmässuo rubbish dump. There were only 1000+ Herring Gulls left because of the very cold weather we have had recently. Many gulls have left Finland but still there were enough of them to make yesterday a nice gull watching day. At one point Pepe noticed a possible Caspian Gull passing his car quickly and disappearing somewhere. Fortunately it didn't take much time to relocate the bird and take the pictures needed to confirm the id. Thanks guys for a nice birding day!

Caspian Gull, 3cy. What a "cachinnans-look".

Caspian Gull, 3cy. Nice cachinnans-underwing.

Caspian Gull, 3cy. Perfect tail and nice mirrors in outernmost primaries.

Caspian Gull, 3cy.

Caspian Gull, 3cy.

Caspian Gull, 3cy.

There was also a 2cy Glaucous Gull. This bird has quite strong markings on upperwing coverts and also some weak markings on primaries but is probably within the variation.