Common Gull (Kamchatka) - Jared Clarke
Report

Contributor

Date

Location

Goulds--Ruby Line Pond and area
Avalon Peninsula-St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 47.489775, -52.7887058
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Media notes

This gull also had a darkish eye (which at closer range was found to be brown with a visible pupil rather than completely dark). This feature is found in all races of Common Gull, although the texts suggest that Kamchatka Gull often (but not always) shows a paler eye than other races. The head and bill shape was completely unlike that of other Common Gulls we see here – appearing larger headed with a more sloped forehead and notably longer, more substantial bill. Our “typical” Common Gulls tend to have rounder, gentler looking head shapes with shorter, daintier looking bills – resulting in a very different look.

Observation details

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/nf.birds/klIRzg4iTdo | https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/nf.birds/iwQf570QZXg | https://birdtherock.com/2014/09/29/an-odd-case-of-common-gull/ We then checked the gulls at QV lake fields. (2 LBBGs) and then Goulds By Pass at Ruby line. The plowed field had 30+ Golden Plovers 2 Semipalmated Plovers, up to 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, one LBBG/YLGU hybridish thing, might be a 3rd w. YLGU possibly a LBBGxHERG(photos.) But best was discovering the unusual Common Gull first found by Alvan Buckley at Quidi Vidi lake about ten days ago. It had not been seen since. It is big and dark. Unlike any Common Gull previously seen in Newfoundland. There are strong indications it is probably not the standard European race but probably one from Northern or even eastern Russia. Photos should appear on my blog later tonight. | As Bruce mentioned in his post, he and I refound an unusual looking Common Gull first photographed by Alvan Buckley on September 16. It is certainly an interesting study, and very possibly of a far eastern race of Common Gull rarely seen in North America. The jury is still out while we do some more research - but for those of you interested, we have posted some photos and discussion on our various blogs.

Technical information

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1000 pixels x 650 pixels
Original file size
207 KB