Caspian Gull ID in British Birds

[Brian S]

Over 40 pages of the March issue of British Birds http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/ is devoted to the first of a two-part article on the identification of Caspian Gull - a 'must have' for those that have spent time sifting through flocks for these 'beauties'.

Brian S

[Bonsaibirder]

What do you think the chances are of being able to buy an ID paper like the Caspian Gull one separately for a non-subscriber?

It may sound like a cop out not to subscribe but I wonder if there would be a big internet market for one-off ID articles like this. I would certainly buy it.

Cheers,

Steve

[JanJ]

I got this message from Hazel today.

Hello Jan,

You can order back issue from our website www.britishbirds.co.uk.

Best wishes

Hazel

JanJ

[MichaelF]

Rather disappointed in this article. Some extra background info would have been very useful (e.g. a map showing where Caspian Gulls occur, breeding range, migration range, and winter range), and above all, some good artwork to point out the distinctions clearly. This really can't be done well with photos where individual birds in photos are not in comparable positions, nor are grey tones comparable from one photo to another.

One thing for sure - it isn't going to help me much with trying to find and identify any potential Caspian Gull up here in an area where they are still extremely rare (just one county record so far).

[Colin Key]

One thing for sure - it isn't going to help me much with trying to find and identify any potential Caspian Gull up here in an area where they are still extremely rare (just one county record so far).

Don't worry too much about it Michael - I think they are a figment of some people's imaginations, and they really do not exist.

Colin :ohdear:

[Marcus]

What do you think the chances are of being able to buy an ID paper like the Caspian Gull one separately for a non-subscriber?

It may sound like a cop out not to subscribe but I wonder if there would be a big internet market for one-off ID articles like this. I would certainly buy it.

Cheers,

Steve

The problem with this Steve is that we all know how stingey birders are and they would pass it around thus depriving BB of much needed income. The journal has improved immeasurably under Roger Riddington's editorship and I am a very happy subscriber especially when such articles as Brian's appear.

Michael - this article by my big brother may be of some help: http://www.kentos.org.uk/North%20West%20Kent/CaspianGullsDartford.htm

Looking forward to part 2 and all those dodgy inbetweeners. Thanks Brian (et al).

Edit: Steve - I've just re-read your post and realised that I may have misunderstood what you meant, I initially thought you meant would it be possible to buy it as a pdf hence my comments above. Apologies if any confusion caused.

[Brian S]

In haste, as off to India tonight - hope BA don't decide to go on strike!

I suppose in our defence we always wanted it to be an ID article rather than a discussion of regional (both national and international) distribution. That would be another article: an evaluation of the spread and increase of cachinnans records throughout the WP. Any takers?

It is good to get feedback and it may be that we can address some of the issues in the next article.

Brian S

[MichaelF]

In haste, as off to India tonightHave a nice trip!

It is good to get feedback and it may be that we can address some of the issues in the next article.Thanks! Above all, a set of good 'field-guide-style' annotated artwork comparing Caspian Gull and its confusion species (in UK) would be the most useful addition.

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi Marcus,

Actually, that was kind of what I was suggesting - maybe because a .pdf would be easier to share than a hard copy you could be right, however I wondered if an ID article such as this one might be bought by birders across europe (and the rest of the world) and it might actually get some money for BB from people who would never subscribe. I expect however it would be hard to prevent people sharing the document.

I'll buy the hardy copy in any case.

Cheers,

Steve

Edit: Steve - I've just re-read your post and realised that I may have misunderstood what you meant, I initially thought you meant would it be possible to buy it as a pdf hence my comments above. Apologies if any confusion caused.

[mafting]

Hi Marcus,

and it might actually get some money for BB from people who would never subscribe..........I'll buy the hardy copy in any case.


You've just proven that BB can make money from it already, as you're buying the hard copy on the strength of the article. So why do they need a pdf? By buying a full issue, you're also seeing the rest of the content, which might tempt you to subscribe if the number of articles you want in single issues are cheaper to buy through a subscription. That's the business idea, and why BB have had a subscription offer on recently.

[Bonsaibirder]

You've just proven that BB can make money from it already, as you're buying the hard copy on the strength of the article. So why do they need a pdf? By buying a full issue, you're also seeing the rest of the content, which might tempt you to subscribe if the number of articles you want in single issues are cheaper to buy through a subscription. That's the business idea, and why BB have had a subscription offer on recently.

Because I would rather buy a .pdf and save paper.

And what if I don't get round to it? Whereas if I could buy a .pdf with one click, using Paypal for example, they would already have my money.

[JanJ]

...and now to the subject itself - some more by one of the authors.

http://chrisgibbins-gullsbirds.blogspot.com/

JanJ

[Howard King]

...and now to the subject itself - some more by one of the authors.

http://chrisgibbins-gullsbirds.blogspot.com/

JanJ

Great Pics thanks Jan for the link - could you answer one question though -

People talk a lot about hybrids these days however is it possible to have a large generic variation in a species instead.