ML326088861

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Media notes

Phone through bins

Observation details

Previously reported. Seen 8:10 am slightly south of Fulton St foraging in shallow surf with other gulls. As I moved closer a dog charged the flock and they flew. Fortunately, the Sabine's bold upperwing pattern made it easy to spot in flight and follow. It landed about 200 yards further north near a group of Western Gulls already there. I was able to get fairly close to the Sabine's. It did not seem afraid. It eventually flew again and I could not follow it in the strong wind. Next to a Western Gull it appeared to be about half the Western's size. The attached photos of both gulls were taken at the same distance, so they make for a good size comparison. The Sabine's was medium-gray, similar to California. Most of the head was very dark gray, almost black, but on close examination, a black border along the edge of this gray could be seen. The dark part of the head seemed more like a mask than a full hood, as the rear crown and nape were white. The dark mask/hood enclosed the bill and chin. In flight the upperwing showed black outer primaries and coverts, white remaining primaries and secondaries, and gray coverts matching the back and scapulars. The bill was small and dainty, with the basal two-thirds black and the tip yellow. The eyes were dark, possibly red. The legs were dark, color undetermined. The bird had a wound, possibly a long gash on the left side of the breast. This did not seem to hinder the bird as its flight was normal.

Technical information

Model

SM-J727P

ISO

50

Focal length

2.9 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/1.9

Shutter speed

1/277 sec

Dimensions

788 pixels x 587 pixels

Original file size

216.88 KB