Thursday, 21 October 2021
Wednesday, 20 October 2021
17-10-2021 KAVALA, GREECE - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)
The Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is a large, robust seabird with a commanding presence. Its size can be quite variable, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a Common Gull, and the largest males approaching the heft of a Great Black-backed Gull. Adults typically exhibit a grey back, a shade lighter than that of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, and their heads are notably whiter in the autumn months. A distinctive feature is their yellow legs, which give this species its common name.
When observing the Yellow-legged Gull, look for the yellow legs that contrast with the grey back and the white head, which becomes even whiter during the autumn. The wing tips are black with limited white spots, and adults have a red spot on the bill. The eye is surrounded by a red ring. Juveniles can be identified by their paler head, rump, and underparts, dark bill and eyes, and a black band on the tail.
This gull favors a variety of coastal environments, often nesting on sea cliffs, islands, and occasionally on buildings within urban settings. It is also known to breed on trees in some regions.
The Yellow-legged Gull has a breeding range centered around the Mediterranean Sea, extending to the Atlantic islands and coasts as far north as Brittany and west to the Azores. Its presence is also noted on the western side of the Black Sea.
The species is known for its adaptability, with many individuals remaining in the same area year-round, while others migrate to milder regions of western Europe or head south to areas such as Senegal and the Red Sea. Post-breeding dispersal can lead to increased numbers in regions like southern England from July to October.
17-10-2021 KAVALA, GREECE - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (JUVENILE) (Larus michahellis)
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/59202-Larus-michahellis
Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Monday, 18 October 2021
Saturday, 16 October 2021
Thursday, 14 October 2021
Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Sunday, 10 October 2021
10-10-2024 BARCELONA, SPAIN - GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia borin)
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The Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) is a modestly attired bird, lacking the flamboyant hues that adorn some of its relatives. This small, migratory passerine is characterized by its brown upperparts and rather nondescript dull white underparts. Both sexes are similarly clad, making them indistinguishable in the field, and the juveniles mirror the adults in their plainness. It is a bird of open woodland, often elusive, flitting through dense undergrowth with a tireless energy.
To identify the Garden Warbler, look for a bird approximately 14 cm in length, with a wing span of 7.6–8.4 cm. It has a whitish eyering and a faint pale supercilium, and its throat and flanks may show a buff wash. The bill is strong, with a grey upper and paler grey lower mandible. The legs are bluish-grey. The eastern subspecies, S. b. woodwardi, is slightly larger and paler than the nominate form.
The Garden Warbler selects open woodlands with a rich understorey for breeding. It shows a preference for deciduous woods with thickets and edges, often near water sources. Mature coniferous forests are typically avoided. In Africa, during the non-breeding season, it occupies a variety of wooded habitats, steering clear of both closed forests and arid regions.
This warbler breeds across most of Europe and into western Siberia, extending further north than any other Sylvia species. It is a strong migrant, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. The species is known to be vagrant in several regions outside its usual range.
The Garden Warbler is a bird of action, vigorously defending its territory against other Sylvia species. It is mainly monogamous and breeds once a year, with the male displaying and singing to attract a mate. The species is known for its strong migratory behavior, with a remarkable ability to metabolize body fat and even muscle during its long flights.
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