Iceland Gull Sardis Pond Feb 2

[Gord]

There was an adult or 3rd winter Iceland Gull at Sardis Pond this afternoon. I was delighted and it's a new species for me!



Hope it hangs around for Thor to get back from looking at parrots! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Deleted]

Hey, Gord, super find. I'd like to make a quick try for this gull tomorrow (Sunday) after lunch. If all goes well, I might even be back home in time to catch most of the superbowl game.

Where are other possible locations (with directions) to look for the Iceland Gull if it's not at Sardis Pond? For example, where is Salish Pond? I found the directions to Sardis Pond on the FV birding website, but I didn't see any mention of Salish Pond.

Iceland Gull of any subspecies would be a lifer for me, unless you include Thayer's as a subspecies of Iceland, which most don't do now, I think. I have seen a few Thayer's Gulls, although much of the time I often think I don't really believe there's such a thing. Then I see a real one and I believe again, for a while.

The Iceland gull complex, including Kumlien's subspecies and nominate Iceland subspecies, is a bit of a mystery to me, I readily confess. But I would guess that your photo looks good for an Iceland Gull of some type or other, perhaps pale end Kumlien's, the subspecies most likely to be seen here, or perhaps even a nominate Iceland, although that is supposed to be very rare in NA anywhere but the east coast of the continent. The latest print edition (2004) of the Vancouver checklist shows the status of Iceland Gull (all subspecies) as casual (seen less than annually).

Would you be willing to post a message to bcvanbirds with the photo uploaded to the photos section, so others can be aware of this rarity? It would be interesting to hear what others think about the subspecies also. It seems possible that Iceland and Kumlien's might yet receive status as separate species (Howell & Dunn, Reference Guide to Gulls of the Americas, 2007, p. 463), and even now they are often sought separately by listers, so it would be an important question for a lot of birders.

I would welcome discussion of this whole complex.

The Fraser Valley will certainly be better known for gulls after this winter!

Thanks,

Stan Olson
Abbotsford

[Gord]

Stan, Salish Pond is the pond at the Chilliwack Library behind the Rhombus Hotel. It's on First Ave just off Young Road. You can get there from Highway #1 going north on Yale and turning right onto First Ave.

These two ponds have been the best for gulls lately with all the snow. They're not on the fields, that is for sure. Jason said there were lots of gulls at Sardis Pond yesterday as well so hope it's the same tomorrow and having the Iceland.

Good luck tomorrow!

Ill make mention of this guy on BCVan.

Also curious as to comments about its subspecies.

A few close up as possible pictures.

[Dave]

Congrats on the lifer, Gord! Wow!

I will see if a detour with the family will work tomorrow. Hope Thor makes it home in time as well.

Dave

[oldfulica]

Hi Gord
Another nice find. We looked for the prairie Falcon the other day too with no luck. Will take another trip down there today.

[oldfulica]

I forgot to say those are great pictures.

[tmanson]

hey gord. would you mind telling that iceland gull to hang around for another week, please?
birding, and weather continues to be good here. yesterday´s obs included a bat falcon, and i got a pretty good picture as well.
cheers, thor

palenque, chiapas, mexico
soon to be hope, b.c.

[Gord]

Thor I really look forward to a report and pictures from your trip!

Im scared that with the drastic change in weather coming that the gulls are going to change their patterns and be a needle in a haystack as they get back out into the fields. This doesnt mean it cant be found but more effort will be needed. We'll do our best to keep a handle on it for when you get back.