ML646465084

Observation details

Is this Nevada’s first VEGA GULL? Rafee and Kaylene spotted this first-cycle gull at a Sparks Marina yesterday. I then joined forces with Rafee today and studied/photographed the bird. Relative to nearby (typical) first-cycle Herring Gulls, many features of this bird stood out to us and led us to ponder the possibility that it might be a Vega Gull: Light bird overall, with equally light upper parts and lower parts. Dark patch on face limited to area around and behind eye, slightly extending toward crown. White-edged scapulars with dark leaf-like or anchor-like centers, creating a contrasty, scaly appearance. Very dark white-edged tertials—darker than other feathers (minus primaries and tail). Very white rump with well-spaced—rather than dense—barring. Likewise, very white undertail coverts. Dark terminal tail band, but outer retrices—especially R6—are very white (indeed, white streaking and spotting extends more than 50% out from base on R6). Distinct white primary panel visible in flight. Pseudo “string of pearls” near primary tips. The attached photos show these various field marks. All were taken this afternoon and evening in varying light conditions. I apologize some are a little blurry—it was a considerable distance away, and getting sharp photos became increasingly challenging in the waning evening light.