ML145417311

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

**rare; first-cycle. Seen in the cove along the east jetty of Shinnecock Inlet. It flew daintily back-and-forth over the water, flying to the surface and plucking dead/floating food items from the water. It landed on the water for periods of about five minutes to swallow food. Only once did it land on the beach for no more than 10 minutes. Field marks observed include: small to medium-sized gull quite similar to Ring-billed Gull in overall appearance and size, though smaller. Thin bill with no gonydeal angle. Bill was bicolored. All black primaries with four seen extending beyond tail tip on resting bird. Dark gray scalloped scapulars. Biege collar on hind neck/nape, which separated a gray mantle from white head. Dark eye appeared large and beady on the head, somewhat smudged plumage giving it a "black-and-blue" effect. Faded crown patch above eye. Dainty and "cute-faced" appearance; dovelike. Rounded head was small and gentle in appearance. Let color not noted. Bright white upper and lower tail coverts and rump suggesting Larus canus canus. L. c. brachyrhynchus would show a dark rump and tail coverts. Thick, black subterminal band on tail with outermost rectrix all white. Tail feathers were thinly tipped white. Complete white breast and belly. Flew on long, thin wings with buoyant flight, almost tern-like. Fed along, never close to other gulls. Observed for 55 minutes as close as 20 feet away in flight and at 50 yards roosting on beach. At 12:55pm it flew west across inlet until we lost it out over the ocean and into the sun. It was reported again by other observers at 2pm in the same location. [transcribed from field notes by MJA on 6 May 2012.]

Technical information

Model

EZ Controller

Dimensions

3666 pixels x 2445 pixels

Original file size

2.81 MB