EuroQuiz #1 - The Solution

The introduction of a European element to our mystery photo quiz certainly seems to have found favour with our regular and new readers alike. The first stage in the newly introduced Euro-photo quiz produced a record entry with an approximate 175% increase in participation compared to an average entry in our former birdingisrael mystery photo challenge.

Euro-photo # 1, featured in July, was a Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadelphia). The bird was photographed at Newburyport, Massachusetts in the USA on 16th September 2002. It was correctly identified by 51% of entrants, with 16% plumping for Little Gull (Larus minutus), and 28% opting for Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus). We also had a handful on entries for Mediterranean Gull (Larus melancephalus), Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunicephalus), Grey-headed Gull (Larus cirrocephalus) and Sabine's Gull (Larus sabini) but all the entries received were for the smaller, dark hooded gulls.

The plumage of this Bonaparte's Gull , which is predominantly juvenile moulting into its first-winter, is possibly unlikely to be recorded in Europe though the species itself is being found with increasing frequency, especially in Britain where there have been at least 113 records up the end of 2001. The majority of these records refer to birds in first-winter, first-summer or adult type plumage.

Despite the scaly appearance of a juvenile gull being potentially confusing, the bare part colours offer the first indication that this bird is not a Black-headed Gull. The bill is slim and almost entirely dark, and the legs are rather dull, fleshy pink. Black-headed Gull should show a more obviously reddish bi-coloured bill with a dark tip, brighter yellowish-pink legs and much brighter ginger toned upperparts while still in juvenile plumage.

Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia	A Little Gull alongside a Bonaparte's Gull

Little Gull was a popular choice for many and, with rather similar bare part colours, a potential pitfall. While taking images of this juvenile Bonaparte's Gull, I also found a couple of Little Gulls in the same flock. This juvenile Little Gull, seen alongside an adult winter Bonaparte's Gull, offers a fascinating comparison between the two species and I was surprised to see how brown and washed out the juvenile plumage of this Little Gull appeared in comparison to the much blacker appearance of European birds of a similar age. This photo also provides an interesting comparison between the head and bill shapes of the two species. This Little Gull was also photographed at Newburyport, MA on 16th September 2002 and is quite rare in the Eastern states of the US.

Thanks to all for taking part in this quiz. It promises to be rich and varied, and we hope for a similar level of entry in Stage 2. Remember you could win a free week of birding based at Kibbutz Lotan in southern Israel so its well worth taking up the challenge.

Still on Stage 2

Just to add the fun we're also offering a random spot prize if you can guess to within a radius of 10 kilometres exactly where was this photograph taken?

The winner will be the person who has the most specific answer down to the exact location and country. In this case, he/she doesn't necessarily have to identify the species correctly, just the location.

In the event of a multiple number of correct answers, one name will be drawn from of a hat and pronounced the winner.

We'll be taking entries for EuroQuiz stage #2 until 31st August, and announce the winner in early September.

Have fun,

Good luck to all,

James P. Smith & The Birdisrael Team

Contact info

Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)