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Post by Wetlander on Nov 19, 2007 14:32:58 GMT -8
 I must admit that after 6 years of birding... I've neglected my gulls. At first they were just too confusing and there was lots of other groups that were easier to ID. Now it's become an almost mental block.  But what with Slaty-backs and Ivorys etc.... I must face my fears. Any advice on IDing? What should I be looking for - wing colour & pattern?
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Post by Dave on Nov 19, 2007 20:09:09 GMT -8
Hi wetlander,
I went through the same experience with gulls when I started birding. They all were Glaucous-winged to me! It was only after becoming confident with the rest of the families of birds, that I turned to the more difficult birds to ID: the gulls, the plain-looking female sparrows, the winter shorebirds, etc...
As a starter for gulls, I would advise you to spend some time with some of these larger flocks in the fields these days. When they are nicely walking around in front of you, they are easier to practice with.
Back colour - Get comfortable with the colouring variations of the Glaucous-winged Gull, and then consider that anything darker is worth studying! California, Western, Slaty-backed, Lesser Black-backed all have distinctly darker backs than the common Glaucous-winged. I started taking pictures of these darker gulls and studied them at home to ID them with guides spread out before me.
Leg colour - Are the legs yellow or pink? If they are yellow, you have eliminated a bunch of the gull options!
Wing tips - The Glaucous-winged gull has wing tips that are a simliar shading as the back. Black wing tips on a big gull is something worth taking a picture of! Then post the pictures on line and we all will enjoy the ID challenge while fine-tuning our Gull ID skills.
Keep in mind that most of the gulls in the fields are Glaucous-winged and Mew - anything that isn't is worth taking a picture of. Especially an all white gull that brings to mind the word IVORY!
Hope this helps. There are members of this site who are able to give much better advice!
Dave
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Post by Gord on Nov 20, 2007 0:12:15 GMT -8
Good advice, Dave.
Further to that, I certainly agree to the tip on finding places to easily view the gulls and then spending some time getting to know them. Trying to see them from far out makes a difficult thing to begin with harder!
Start with adults to get a feel for them. Body shape, bill size/length and so forth are good clues in all ages. Working among adults is a great starting point. Further to that, focus on a species or two and learn what makes it that species using the guides Dave provided. Wing tips when folded and in flight (tops and bottoms!) are very good things to watch for.
Be patient. These are among the hardest birds to identify and learn. Dont venture out if you have a headache or if your favourite sports team just lost its 5th game in a row. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Joking around aside, gulls are lots of fun. However, it was almost 10 years of birding for me before I started to really focus on them. The experience with other birds did help as it can be applied on them too.
A great growth in a rounded birder! Ive been thinking about having a little gulling trip among the group. That would be a good tip as well. Get out with others who can share what they know.
Good luck! Look forward to hearing about what you're seeing and if you have any questions and/or pictures to share!
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Post by Wetlander on Nov 20, 2007 9:13:14 GMT -8
Thanks guys! Yes I've been planning on checking out some farm fields and just watch for a while and get used to them. And if you do a Gulling trip, let me know!
Dave: Yes, I'm at the stage where everything looks Glaucous-winged!
Gord: Re: Patience... Hockey is Life! Everything I've learned about disappointment - I've learned from the Canucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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