Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2011-08b (submitted as
#2011-14)
| Common name: |
Western Gull (2nd cycle) |
| Scientific name: | Larus occidentalis |
| Date: | 18 Feb 2011 |
| Time: | 10:15am |
| Length of time observed: | 90 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | 2nd cycle |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Farmington Bay WMA, Unit 1 |
| County: | [Davis] |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | see photos. 100 feet to 300 feet, approx |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski 65mm, 25-45x eyepiece |
| Weather: | high overcast, no rain |
| Light Conditions: | fair to good |
| Description: Size of bird: | larger than Herring Gull |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Stout |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | see photos |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Stout without dramatic gonydeal angle |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
See photos |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | |
| Habitat: | |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The main confounder here would be GW x Western Gull. SB Gull would have darker back, pale inner panel to primaries, etc. The short wings and stout bill eliminate species such as Cal Gull and LBBG (as do other marks). GW x Western Gulls outnumber pure adults of both species in Everett, WA (where I lived for 18 years, immediately before seeing this bird. I was en route to my new digs in Longmont, CO), and are abundant. Hybrids should show a pale panel on inner primaries, paler primaries, especially on uppersurface, and a paler back. In WA, I'd regularly see probable hybrids at either end of the spectrum that made me wonder: GW or Hybrid? or Western or Hybrid? This bird is too dark and well marked to fit into the latter category, and in my experience, is quite typical of Western Gull. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
see above |
| References consulted: | none |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | Steven G Mlodinow |
| Observer's address: | 1522 Venice Lane, Longmont, CO 80503 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | SGMlod@aol.com |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 25 February 2011 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | Notes written same evening; no guide consulted re: this bird. |