1st record for Greece: Sabine's Gull at Lake Kerkini!
The very first confirmed Sabine's Gull in Greece was reported at Lake Kekini on October 2nd, 2023. Greece Bird Tours was there, so here are some photos of the twitched bird!
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| Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) - Χελιδονόγλαρος at Lake Kerkini |
The bird was first spotted by Adrian Eisen Rupp, a German ornithologist and avid birder. On October 2nd 2023 he digiscoped an individual among hundreds of Black-headed Gulls at Lithotopos, at the southern tip of Lake Kerkini.
He rapidly spread the word and dozens of Greek and foreign birdwatchers visited the lake to try their luck on this very rare gull. Fortunately, the bird retained its summer plumage and it was sticking out among the other gulls, as it was the only gull with black head.
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| Sabine's Gull is sticking out because of smaller size and black-head (no Black-headed Gull had actually any black on its head) |
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| Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) - Χελιδονόγλαρος Wing pattern and swallowish tail are also solid ID features |
