Large Gulls in the Southeastern Urals

A form of large gull seems to be a common breeder in the large forest-steppe zone lake area in Chelyabinsk oblast, in the westernmost Asian Russia (northern latitude 56). The area seems to be plotted as a distribution area of nominate cachinnans in Malling Olsen & Larsson (2004), but in the text "SE Urals" is assigned as a breeding area of barabensis. Panov & Monzikov (2000) do not plot any sites in this area.

Here are some photos of large gulls taken during breeding season in Pervouralsk and Ekateringburg, Sverdlovsk oblast, and northern part of Chelyabinsk oblast. All photos are from early June. Most of them look like barabensis.

Second calendar year birds

Older subadults

Adults

Call recording 1

Call recording 2

Call recording 3

References

Malling Olsen, K & Larsson, H 2004: Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Christopher Helm London.

Panov, E N & Monzikov, D G 2000: Status of the form barabensis within the 'Larus argentatus - cachinnans - fuscus complex'. British Birds 93 (5) 227-241.