Possible American Herring Gull?

[Malcurtin]

Any comments on the series of photos posted tonight on Surfbirds UK stop press of AHG at Moore NR (Arpley Tip) in Cheshire...Malc

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Mal,
I don't suppose there are any pics showing the spread tail properly? Failing that, a short account of the impression given in the field could be useful.
While a lot of what can be seen (apparently 'smoothly' dark brown underparts/axilliaries/underwing coverts, whitish head, aspects of the structure etc) does suggest American Herring Gull, I'm slightly uneasy about the nature of the barring on the vent and undertail coverts: the white and dark bars appear to be wide and well-spaced, whereas I'd like this area to be very closely barred on a putative AHG, almost like the pattern shown here by juvenile Pomarine or Long-tailed Skuas.
Harry

[Malcurtin]

Thanks for your comments Harry,unfortunatly the sighting of the bird was limited to a brief fly-by before it headed back over to the tip-if only it had landed!The photos taken are probably the clearest aid to the I.D. of the bird so far so heres hoping that someone can pin the bird down this weekend-there are access issues at the site and the birds commute between the tip,the Mersey and the pools on Moore NR so it is difficult.thanks again for your reply...Malc