I photographed this bird in Oct 2007 just west of the Straits of Gibraltar about half way between Spain and Morocco. I'd identified it at as possibly a juvenile pomarine skua but could it be an arctic?
Not much to go on I know especially the second pic (well the boat was rocking about)
I'd be grateful for a second opinion.
TJ
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Hi,
It's a dark juvenile Pomarine Skua :)
Note the heavy blue grey bill, no tawny on the nape (arctic normally shows this). The overall colour suggests Pomarine and the undertail barring is typical. Long tailed is a slighter built bird with smaller bill.
The pale blue/grey toned legs and good sized white wing patches are good pointers for Pom. Long tailed shows at most 2 pale primary shafts on the upperwing.
:))
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
seabirds seem to break all the rules :) They can turn up anywhere at anytime.
Pomarine skuas turn up periodically (sometimes in flocks) around British and north european coasts in mid winter. Odd Great skuas turn up in British waters in winter - I saw one off Norfolk just before xmas .
Arctic skuas seem to be the least likely in winter.
Hi
Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I'm settling for a Pomarine Skua.
Although this was my initial identification, that was based just on the overall appearance rather than the more clinical diagnosis of the bird's features which have been set out.
Regards