Brydon July 29/12 and another poor pic for ID help

[Randy]

Hey everyone,

I managed to get out for a couple hours this morning. Not too much activity, and nothing really out of the ordinary. No black swifts today, maybe because it was so clear? I had seen them my previous 2 times out, but I believe there was a low ceiling each time.

The eagles were very active at their nest and 1 of the 3 young remains. Here's one of the adults:



Also, saw about 15 gulls flying in circles overhead. Too far for me to ID with binoculars, although they were definitely not glaucous-winged. I took some pics and did some extreme cropping. It wouldn't be an interesting post from me without some highly cropped, poor quality pics for ID help!

I'm thinking ring-billed?





Not sure if there is enough detail for a definitive ID, but any help is appreciated.

Here's my complete list, with 31 species total. I will happily change the ring-billed if someone IDs as something else:


Canada Goose 8
Mallard 40
Great Blue Heron 1
Bald Eagle 3
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 15
Rufous Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 4
Western Wood-Pewee 1
Willow Flycatcher 2
Northwestern Crow 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Violet-green Swallow 4
Barn Swallow 15
Black-capped Chickadee 15
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2
Bewick's Wren 1
Marsh Wren 3
Swainson's Thrush 2
American Robin 2
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 8
Common Yellowthroat 6
Spotted Towhee 10
Song Sparrow 10
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 15

[Gord]

Randy, nice report and outing. I always enjoy hearing about what's at Brydon.

As for your gulls, those look to be California Gulls. They are passing through on migration in good numbers now. Mostly adults but a few juveniles as well. The extensive dark wingtips on the adults are a good clue although Ring-billed Gull adults are no slouches in the dark wingtip department. Another clue is the juvenile which is much darker than a Ring-billed would be. The size of the juvenile is similar to the adult. A Ring-billed would be smaller. Proportionately the birds matches as well to me.

[Randy]

Thanks for the help Gord - I knew something wasn't quite right for ring-billed but couldn't put my finger on it. Glad you clarified! I read the gull tutorial that you guys did on this forum but they are still tricky (especially when so far away). Between gulls and shorebirds I do a lot of pulling my hair out!!

Randy