ML283351501

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

First record for Muskoka, a lifer for us, and species #260 for our personal Muskoka List! Adult with slate coloured back (not as dark as GBBG) with bluish undertones, contrasting darker primaries, substantial dusky brown streaking on back of head and neck, dark line of ‘mascara’ above eye extending behind eye, yellow iris, broad white tertial and scapular crescents, broad white trailing edge on upper wing extending to outer primaries, diagnostic string of pearls (showing as white tongue tips on mid-primaries bordering pale grey inner webs on P6-P8), legs pink somewhat brighter than HERG and GBBG, bright yellow bill with red gonydeal spot, bird not much bigger than nearby HERGs, appeared front heavy, with primaries not extending much beyond tail (open wing shot showed P10 still growing in). Bird spent majority of time resting amongst 150+ HERG on top of now closed landfill cell. It flew up and over to the active garbage dumping cell and spent a few minutes feeding in the mosh pit when the landfill compactor was active. We were able to obtain an open wing shot at this point to confirm string of pearls in outer primaries. It flew up and away to the north, as did every other gull present, when an adult BAEA made a low pass over the site. Only about 100 gulls returned several minutes later, the SBGU not with them. Stayed until closing time, but could not refind it. Overcast, low cloud ceiling, occasional drizzle, 4 degrees C. Thanks to Amar Ayyash for id confirmation.

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

ISO

800

Focal length

247 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/125 sec

Dimensions

4608 pixels x 3456 pixels

Original file size

2.11 MB