Documentation of
Iceland Gull
2017-010
Observer Information
Reporter:
Steven Mlodinow
530 Peregrine Circle,
Longmont,
CO 80504-8806
E-mail:
smlodinow@gmail.com
Other Observers:
David Dowell saw bird later and agreed with ID
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Iceland Gull
First Date/Time:
2/25/2017 11:30:00 AM
Last Date/Time:
2/25/2017 11:35:00 AM
Duration (total time in view):
2 minutes
County:
Weld
Specific Location:
Severance area
Number:
1
Age:
Adult
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
Swarovski 95 mm, 30-70x scope
Distance:
150 feet
Light:
good
Description of the Bird
First saw bird when most of it was hidden by other gulls. I actually first thought it might be a Mew Gull due to small delicate all dull yellow bill and delicate rounded head. However, the white eye was obvious, and it was larger than nearby RBGUs, though smaller than HERGs. I thought briefly about THGU, but figured the rather pale eye largely eliminated that species. Then the gulls flew. And I saw its paler mantle and very limited dusky markings on primaries (above; primaries entirely white below). The outer primary appeared entirely white distally (more so than a "mirror" would produce). P9 had much white but a tad of gray at tip. There was white with more extensive gray on P8 and P7 - I can't be absolutely certain that this is the exact pattern, but this is what I wrote in field and as bird whirled around, this pattern seemed consistent. It matches pattern "L" in Howell and Dunn (taken from Howell and Mactavish). The body was white. The head was largely white (I must admit that I did not pay much attention to streaking on head, so some streaking may have been present). Legs pink
Similar Species Discussion
Thayer's Gull would be darker mantled (not paler than HERG) and have dark eye, more dusky on wing tips)
Glaucous Gull would be larger, heavier bill, no dusky marking on wingtips
GW Gull larger, different wingtip pattern, heavier bill, etc
Resources Used
Howell and Dunn to best "quantify" wing pattern
Previous Experience
Moderate with ICGU, extensive with Thayers
Notes
Notes made AFTER observation
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
2/25/2017 8:03:00 PM
Location Map
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