[MountainGoat]

Hi everyone,
I'm hoping you might help me with the center gull in this photo. I was at Trout Lake briefly a few days ago and looking for the Western Gull. The lighting was bad, I couldn't get close, and I've never been good with young gulls.
I'm sure the closest and furthest gulls are Glaucous-winged, but not sure about the middle one and am guessing that if it is Glaucous-winged it's between stages that I've normally seen them.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[Birder2000]

I'd say the bird you have there is a Western x Glaucous-winged Gull hybrid (Olimpic Gull). They often will look more like other species, but this bird looks good for a hybrid. The Wingtips are just not black enough and the back is not dark enough for a Western.

[MountainGoat]

Thanks Liron!

That makes sense. Hadn't thought of that problem for the young ones...

Jim