ML646496572

Observation details

First spotted an explosion of Ring-billed and Bonaparte's south of the point and east of Bear Island as a dark bird was relentlessly attacking the gulls. Size was just slightly smaller than the Ring-billed Gulls it was chasing down with powerful and fairly agile flight. As it chased the gulls we eventually picked up both the light belly and the light color at the base of the primaries on the underwing indicating a Jaeger. The wings were long and pointed, and it did not appear bulky compared to the Ring-billed. Eventually the gulls had enough, and after some Ring-billed started harassing it, it kettled up a bit and flew to the south. We thought it had probably left, but despite the distant views Graham's experience with Jaegers suggested an ID of Parasitic over Pomarine based on size and shape, with size and timing ruling out Long-tailed. Over an hour later, a gull feeding frenzy started closer between Cook's and Seven Points, and the Jaeger appeared out of nowhere up above before flying to the south where we lost it again. We found it again sitting on the water by a fisherman's boat toward seven points before it took off and flew toward us passing between Cook's and Bear Island before heading out to the largest open water. During this time we were largely focused on photos, but were able to note some features. Plumage appeared to be sub-adult, with dark brown above, a white belly, dusky band across the chest, some light color on the throat, side of the neck, and hind-neck with some darker plumage on the face. However, at this point we questioned the ID of Parasitic some because there seemed to be a lot of white on the primary shafts on the upper wing. Reviewing the photos afterward still pointed to the ID of Parasitic. It did not appear barrel chested or large-billed, and the wing was in fairly heavy molt which could exacerbate apparent white on the upperwing if some primary coverts were molting. Additionally, some photos seem to show long pointed central retrices of Parasitic which we were not able to resolve well visually as light was fading. The Jaeger flew out toward the main gull roost north of the point at Anderson Rd prompting some Ring-billed to harass it again. Eventually it settled on the water out toward Stone Island and appeared to be roosting there for the night when we left at dark. Photos