Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2014-005
| Common name: |
Kumlien's Iceland Gull |
| Scientific name: | Larus [glaudoides] kumlieni |
| Date: | 2/25/14 |
| Time: | 1:00 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Lee Kay Ponds |
| County: | Salt Lake |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon Fieldscope 82mm ED Spotting Scope Straight Body with 25-75X Zoom Eyepiece |
| Weather: | Sunny |
| Light Conditions: | Full Mid-day sun |
| Description: Size of bird: | Similar in size to nearby California Gulls |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Gull on Water |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | White body with light gray mantle |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Gull bill, with red spot |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Mid-sized gull, similar, if perhaps a touch smaller than nearby CAGUs. Adult
bird. Bill with one red spot, lightish eye, light mantle, primaries nearly the
same color as the mantle.
(see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Swimming on water |
| Habitat: | Marsh/Pond |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
I noted this gull swimming with the California Gulls on the far side of the pond. The first thing that stuck out for me was the lighter mantle and then the light primaries. I was intending to re-find a previously reported GWGU, so I was on the lookout for light primaries! I watched this bird as it swam around, keeping a close eye on the primaries to make sure that their light appearance wasn't an effect of the bright mid-day lighting conditions. As it swam around and changed angles, the primaries never popped--they remained a light gray, just one shade darker than the mantle. I also watched the nearby CAGUs to compare their dark primaries as they reflected in the light; this was definitely different. I ruled out RBGU because there was no apparent black on the bill, and HERG due to size (in addition to the light primaries.) Size and eye color (light) ruled out GWGU. Color of primaries and overall size also ruled out THGU. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
First time seeing an adult Iceland, however I am familiar with THGU and HERG. |
| References consulted: | Peterson Reference Guide Gulls of the Americas by Howell and Dunn |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Stephanie Greenwood |
| Observer's address: | 90 W 500 S #513 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 2/26/15 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: | NNINA |