I shouldn't worry too much Opinions vary but some have always believed that large gulls came from the same gene pool, personally I don't go in for that DNA stuff (far too complicated ) and whilst I can tell them apart (which isn't always ) they'll do as seperate species for me. Until I'm told otherwise anyway.....................
There was an article in the Times last week which suggested that eight species of Gull had been reclassified as one by some august scientific body whose name I have forgotten - I should have kept the article. The species in question included Herring, Lesser-black Backed, Iceland, Glaucous, Glaucous-winged plus three other American variants (I think).
Does anyone know anything about this potential life list disaster!