Saltair Birds (gulls)

["Colby Neuman" <scythebill83 at hotmail dot com>]

After going to Farmington Bay, I decided to stop by Saltair this afternoon.  
I too saw the Long-tailed Duck in the same area as before.  However, the 
gull flock contained a few more interesting gulls.  There was an adult 
Glaucous Gull that was easy to miss when it was sitting down or behind other 
gulls.  I also found two first-winter Glaucous-winged type gulls.  The first 
one was feeding away from the main gull flock with a couple of first-winter 
Herrings.  Without getting into too much detail, this bird had a very pale 
(almost white) head and chest in comparison to the rest of the bird's body.  
It was definitely not the typical overall coloration that one would expect 
for a GWGU.  However, the primaries and tertials appeared to be the same 
color as the scapulars, coverts and lower underside of the bird.  Also, the 
underside of the wings appeared translucent when the bird lifted them.  
After viewing this bird for a bit, I went and chased down Terry Sadler who 
had driven by earlier.  When we returned to look for the gulls, we were only 
able to find the Glaucous Gull.  Eventually Terry had to leave and I decided 
to view the gulls that were on the ponds on the other side of the freeway 
(to the southeast of the marina).  I then found another Glaucous-winged type 
gull.  Unlike the first bird, this gull was nearly uniform in color.  It 
eventually flew over and joined the gull flock on the mudflats.  From a 
distance (300 to 500 yards) both these birds seemed to be reasonable 
candidates for pure Glaucous-winged Gulls.  However, the lighting today was 
not good to say the least.  I also know a closer and more detailed 
observation needs to be made for both of these birds due to the high 
probability of hybrids occurring.  Anyway, this gull flock continues to have 
a high turnover rate so hopefully a few more good gulls will make an 
appearance this winter.

THE BEST OF GOOD BIRDING!!!

Colby





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