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March 30, 2015
LIkely Glaucous Gull at Celery Farm Today
Rob Fanning found a rare gull at the Celery Farm this morning. I was able to get a some photos.
Rob believes it is a Glaucous Gull, but wants to do more checking.
Rob writes: "I now believe this to be an adult Glaucous based on pure white wing tips/linings and size appearing slightly larger than most of the Herring Gulls.
"Iceland adult usually shows some light grayish wing tips. The head did not look particularly block-headed but not exactly rounded either.
"Either way this is a long-awaited first for the CF! The bird was still present at 9:05 a.m. when I had to leave for work."
At least one other expert is leaning toward Iceland Gull.
In the meantime, am posting some pix here and (soon) in a gallery on right. What do you think?
Bird may still be at the Celery Farm, out fairly far on Lake Appert.
(Thanks, Rob!)
2 comments
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update: All birders I’ve contacted are leaning toward Glaucous–with one expert birder saying “definitely” Glaucous. the only issue seems to be the head shape–which is rounder than would be expected on a typical Glaucous–but everything else points strongly toward Glaucous.
ps no white-winged gulls this morning–but still lots of gulls–and I counted exactly 100 Common Mergansers–a new high for the CF. -
I now believe this to be an adult Glaucous based on pure white wing tips/linings and size appearing slightly larger than most of the Herring Gulls. Iceland adult usually shows some light grayish wing tips. The head did not look particularly block-headed but not exactly rounded either. Either way this is a long-awaited first for the CF!
The bird was still present at 9:05 AM when I had to leave for work.
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2 comments
RF
update: All birders I’ve contacted are leaning toward Glaucous–with one expert birder saying “definitely” Glaucous. the only issue seems to be the head shape–which is rounder than would be expected on a typical Glaucous–but everything else points strongly toward Glaucous.
ps no white-winged gulls this morning–but still lots of gulls–and I counted exactly 100 Common Mergansers–a new high for the CF.
RF
I now believe this to be an adult Glaucous based on pure white wing tips/linings and size appearing slightly larger than most of the Herring Gulls. Iceland adult usually shows some light grayish wing tips. The head did not look particularly block-headed but not exactly rounded either. Either way this is a long-awaited first for the CF!
The bird was still present at 9:05 AM when I had to leave for work.