'Intermedius' Lesser Black-backed

'Intermedius' Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blennerville, 24th March 2019 (David O'Connor).

This 'Intermedius' Lesser Black-backed Gull was at Blennerville on Sunday before flying out into the bay and was only the seventh county record, though they are undoubtedly overlooked. Four occurrences have been in April. 'Intermedius' birds nest in SW Scandinavia and winter in small numbers in western Europe and Africa.

'Intermedius' Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blennerville, 24th March 2019 (David O'Connor).

'Intermedius' Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blennerville, 24th March 2019 (David O'Connor).

A third Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull

The darker-backed Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull (front) with one of our own graellsii Lesser-black-backed Gulls for easy comparison, Baile an Reannaigh, 18th May 2019 (Michael O'Clery).

If you don't like gulls, best to look away now. Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gulls nest in coastal Scandinavia, Germany and Denmark, and other adjacent areas, and merge with our own slightly paler-backed graellsii race to the west, and the even darker 'Baltic Gull' further north and east. Baltic Gull is a true rarity in Ireland, Intermedius less so, and it is probably a regular spring and autumn passage migrant in small numbers every year. There have been three so far in Kerry this spring, and probably more to be found for those willing to look.

While the darker mantle and wings make it stand out from our local birds, there are structural differences too, such as the wingtips, or outer wings, look noticeably slender and long-looking by comparison.

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull with Herring Gull (lower), Baile an Reannaigh, 18th May 2019 (Michael O'Clery).

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Baile an Reannaigh, 18th May 2019 (Michael O'Clery).

Okay, enough now... I'm bored.

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blennerville, 27th May 2021 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blennerville, 27th May 2021 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blennerville, 27th May 2021 (David O'Connor).

Glaucous and intermedius gulls

Glaucous Gull, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, 12th April 2019 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius-type Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Rock, 8th April 2019 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius-type Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Rock, 8th April 2019 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius-type Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Rock, 8th April 2019 (David O'Connor).

'Intermedius' Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Rock

 

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 29th March 2026 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 29th March 2026 (David O'Connor).

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 29th March 2026 (David O'Connor).

Yellow-legged and 'Intermedius'-type gulls

Yellow-legged Gull, Carrahane, 20th June (Photo: David O'Connor).

Probable 'Intermedius'-type Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Rock, 20th June (Photo: David O'Connor). This form of Lesser Black-backed Gull occurs along southern coasts of the North Sea (including Britain), though identification can be complicated by gradations between two other forms, fuscus and graellsii. If this bird proves to be intermedius, it would be only the second record for Co. Kerry.

Intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Rock

 

Intermedius-type Lesser Black-backed Gull (Left), Black Rock, 16th September 2022 (David O'Connor).

Bits from the week that was

Lesser Black-backed Gull showing features of 'intermedius', Ballyheigue Beach, 3rd April 2017 (David O'Connor). 

It had a metal ring on it's right leg and, interestingly, David had a similar (or the same?) ringed bird at the same location in April 2013.

Lesser Black-backed Gull showing features of 'intermedius', Ballyheigue Beach, 3rd April 2017 (David O'Connor). 

Littoralis Rock Pipit Black Rock, 5th April 2017 (David O'Connor).

One of two present

Little Tern with Sandwich Terns, Kilshannig, April 2017 (David O'Connor).

Little Tern with Sandwich Terns, Kilshannig, April 2017 (David O'Connor).

Iceland Gull & Intermedius Lesser Black backed Gull

 Iceland Gull, Ballyheige, 18th April 2013 (D. O'Connor).

'Intermedius' Lesser Black backed Gull, Ballyheige, 18th April 2013 (D.O'Connor).