ML135549161

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Even in very low light and from a distance, when floating, the white tertial crescent flows seamlessly into the white undertail coverts and flanks, giving the appearance of a dollop of black on top of a white base. This was initially how our group was able to separate it from a nearby Lesser Black-backed Gull, where the narrower tertial crescent was interrupted by black; and the back was a shade darker.

Observation details

First state record, found first yesterday (1/15) by Kent Miller at the landfill and then unknowingly relocated in the evening by Matt Kappler at Summit Lake as it came in to roost. Roughly Herring Gull-sized with a dark slate gray back, obvious large white tertial crescent, dark smudge around the eye, relatively bright pinkish legs visible that were seen well through scope but unfortunately not in my photos, and a dark smudgy gonydeal spot on the lower mandible consistent with Kent’s photos from the original find at the landfill. When the bird flapped/raised its wings, there was limited black on the underside of the primaries, and the “string of pearls” along the primaries were noted. I obtained some poor but identifiable photos and video, and will post as soon as I can.

Technical information

Model

DMC-FZ300

ISO

2000

Focal length

108 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/2.8

Shutter speed

1/125 sec

Dimensions

4000 pixels x 3000 pixels

Original file size

4.42 MB