Yellow-legged Gull - New for Tanzania!

Hi all,

I can't wait to show you my today's sighting! Photos here.
http://www.valeryschollaert.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1082&Itemid=387

Of course, any comment are welcome. First answers I got from european gull specialists confirm it is a Yellow-legged (red eye-ring, yellow legs, pale mantle, red of bill extending to upper mandible...).

I also hope Neil will confirm it is well the first in Tanzania (even East Africa?).

Cheers
Valéry

 

All

 

This is quite a wow and totally unexpected, it was not on my wish list of country additions. I got to know these birds quite well in Libya in the late 70s but for one to turn up in Tanzania, what to say. Pushes us ever closer to 1150 species.

 

Valery, please prepare a note for the EARC, all the usual information and your excellent photos.

 

Cheers and many congratulations. If you are revisting Lukuba in the next few months do look out for Slender-bills, only two previous records for TZ, the first was from Victoria. There is also a pending claim of a Pallas' (Greater Black-headed) but the image quality from a video clip was poor.

 

The Ugandans and Kenyans now need to be aware of Yellow-legs to add this bird to their country lists.

 

Neil
 

Neil and Liz Baker, Tanzania Bird Atlas, P.O. Box 1605, Iringa, Tanzania.
Mobiles: +255 776-360876 and +255 776-360864.