Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 15-1999
| Common name: |
Mew Gull |
| Scientific name: | Larus canus |
| Date: | Sunday, 24 Oct 1999 |
| Time: | 3_15 pm |
| Length of time observed: | 45 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | 1st year |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | North Park, Spanish Fork, Utah |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 10 feet |
| Optical equipment: | |
| Weather: | clear 70° |
| Light Conditions: | clear, no clouds |
| Detailed description of bird: |
While eating lunch w/wife in parking lot, I remarked how much smaller the
gull-like bird was that was flying towards the car from the direction of the
pond. The bird landed in front of the car and stayed there throughout the
sighting. The gull has pink legs and a small pink bill with a black
tip. The primary feathers are dark and extend beyond a dark tail.
the head is round and white w/ no distinguishing markings. The body is white
with a grayish back and brownish wings. (8 photos)
- Observed in parking lot Monday 25 Oct. 1999 w/ several others, 8:20
- 11:00 |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | I heard the gull "mew" Monday (24 Oct 1999) while observing in the parking lot. |
| Behavior: | The gull appeared very unwary. It kept close to the car Sunday - Monday as I took picture the gull did not fly. The gull walked away from me as I got closer. While "chumming" the gull, the gull moved more than the California and Ring-billed Gulls. The Mew Gull walked constantly and was consistently in the front of the group. |
| Habitat: | City park w/ large pond, ball fields & picnic pavilion w/ playground equipment |
| Similar
species and how were they eliminated: |
Seen with several California and Ring-billed Gulls in the park. They all were larger, had larger beaks w/ distinct gonydeal angles, and non-rounded heads. |
| Previous experience with this & similar species: | Ring-billed & Californian in Utah and mostly Heerman, Herriing & Western in Ventura, California. |
| References consulted: |
Audubon Society Field Guide / picture #35 Birds of NA/NGS Internet - Patuxent Bird ID/Gull identification / TBRC |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Harold Clayson |
| Observer's address: | 180 West Appleblossom Way, Salem, Utah 84653 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | JHClayson@aol.com |
| Other
observers who independently identified this bird: |
Merrill Webb, Tuula Rose, Milton Moody |
| Date prepared: | 26 Oct 1999 |
| Additional material: | 8 Photos (more are available), Original Documents |
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