ML582705281

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Initial take was a possible LBBG 1st year. However, it was desirable to rule out immature Herring Gull, especially due to such mottled variability in them. The initial take was that it was larger than all the nearby RBGulls (~1.5x), all in height, body, and bill (jet black color), but not bulking large like HERG. The fore was white, even into above the eye, the crown and nape mottled with a soft brown-silver. The dark eye had distinct eye smudge patch surround. The scapulars had no real "gray" patchwork, and was mottled more evenly bark-brown along with the coverts, secondaries, tertials, more charcoal to dark primaries, extended. I watched this individual walk down to the rip-rap rock edge and back up to the berm amidst the 40+loafing RBGULLS (two hatchlings of RBGU on a presumed nest scour did not elicit a DD from any parent when the LBBG was in fairly close proximity). The underwing stretch was observed twice, although fleetingly, but looked softer mottling on the leading edge, more grayish on the trailing edge- due I think also to light passage (like as in a Turkey Vulture). The undertail coverts whitened. The bare parts of the legs a dull gray-pink. Tony Lau arrived to confirm my observations, but still we were in the debate for it being a HERG. We saw it fly out to the lagoon, confirming it's large size, the bark-brown terminal tail band evident. We consulted others confirming as to the size, bill shape, and pink nature of the legs (known to be characteristic of the early years of 4-yr gulls). Later, at home, I consulted, besides the Sibley artistry, Crossley's field and ID notations, noting especially the scapular and wing pattering, e.g., darker or brown margins to the feathering as compared to the grayer mottling character of HERG. (Of note, I was in Superior, WI on Tuesday where I sighted many varying HERG with RBGU on Wisconsin Point, noting how the bulkiness difference stands out comparably larger to this individual). I was particularly attracted to Crossley's flight photo of a 1st year LBBG, which was indicative of my best match to my observations. Photo uploaded will be as a weak mobile camera image through a Vortex birding scope.

Technical information

Model

Moto Z (2)

ISO

50

Focal length

3.8 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/2.0

Shutter speed

1/134 sec

Dimensions

4000 pixels x 3000 pixels

Original file size

3.04 MB