ML646055169

פרטי השורה

mid-Sound, ne to sw, following us aboard the John H. Caught our eyes immediately, but my camera froze during its initial pass (PJL got some shots then, though, I think). Fortunately, it returned for two more inspections of the ship. Could be sought at or near Orient Point. First impression of this close, near-adult, dark-mantled Larus was LBBG (did not look like GBBG, appearing too small and with too much black in the tail) but definitely “off” in various ways, especially the heavy bill and body. We obtained photos, confirming that the wingtip pattern was way off for GBBG (at least for adults, but possibly not for this age?), and also that the bill, body, and wing breadth were much too robust for LBBG. The mantle, especially the freshly grown parts, was very dark, seemingly too dark for LBBG x AHGU or GBBG x AHGU hybrid. Considered KEGU and LBBG x GBBG hybrid, which would be extraordinary and might never have been recorded. Consulting Malling Olsen and Larsson at home, wingtip, overall plumage aspect, and bill pattern appear suggestive of KEGU, except that the adult-like primary pattern is incongruent with the bird’s immaturity. Possibly just an small, immature GBBG with a lot of black in the tail?