Viking Gull - Larus argentatus x hyperboreus

A large gull occurring as a hybrid between L. argentatus (Herring Gull) and L. hyperboreus (Glaucous Gull). As a hybrid it contains a mix of characters from both parent species and so is extremely variable in appearance. It usually occurs individually, often as immatures, mixed in with large gull flocks.

Parent species: Glaucous and Herring Gulls.

Candidate records will require expert confirmation from the County Recorder and acknowledged gull experts. Records should be supported by photographs taken from several angles.

Winters on coasts and inland on reservoirs and other large water bodies and at large rubbish tips.

Winter months.

A hybrid of arctic breeding gull colonies containing both parent species, frequent in Iceland.

An infrequent winter visitor, but probably under-recorded due to difficulties of recognition and identification.

An infrequent winter visitor. There have been about a dozen confirmed records for Leicestershire and Rutland.