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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Iceland Gull - larus glaucoides

 

Iceland Gull is a large gull which breeds in the arctic regions of Canada and Greenland but not Iceland where it is a winter visitor. It is migratory wintering from in the North Atlantic as far south as the British Isles and northernmost states of the eastern USA. It is apparently much scarcer in Europe than the similar Glaucous Gull. The term 'glaucous' is from the Latin 'glaucus' and the Greek 'glaukos' and refers to the colouration; 'a pale greyish or bluish green' or 'having a frosted look'.

 

There have been sixteen Iceland Gull reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2012: (1)

One was reported in flight south  from New Passage early morning on May 5th;

 

2008: (1)

A 2nd winter was present off Severn Beach in the morning on November 3rd.

 

2004: (1)

On December 26th a probable 2nd winter was noted on the shore near the jetty at Oldbury Power Station.

 

2000: (4)

On January 23rd one was seen at Northwick Warth; One seen on February 1st at Stoke Gifford Tip and was present in the area until February 13th; Two were present on February 17th - 18th at Oldbury Power Station with one present until February 24th, it was seen again on March 5th.

 

1999: (2)

On January 5th a juvenile/ 1st winter was found at Severn Beach; One was found on October 9th at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1998: (1)

One was seen at Oldbury Power Station on February 15th.

 

1996: (1)

One was found on March 17th at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1989: (1)

A 1st summer was seen in flight and heading north-east on May 13th at New Passage.

 

1988: (1)

A 1st winter was found on January 3rd at New Passage.

 

1984: (1)

On February 11th one was located at Northwick Warth and stayed in the area until March 8th.

 

1977: (1)

One was reported at Severn Beach on March 5th.

 

1940: (1)

On February 23rd an immature bird was identified at Stoke Gifford. When first seen it was soaring directly overhead in company with a number of young Herring Gulls with which it corresponded in size but differed noticeably in the entirely transparent appearance of the primary feathers. Later, as the bird heeled over, identification was further confirmed by the creamy white upper parts and the absence of any black on the wing-tips. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

 

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