Post by Gord on Jan 28, 2008 21:31:21 GMT -8
Had a little surprise today at Salish Pond in Chilliwack. There were about 60 gulls sitting on the ice. At quick scan produced this light coloured gull. At first I went with Glaucous Gull, albeit a small one (would be a small female). I took pictures but then it flew before further observations could be made.
Now looking at the pictures Im looking at a pretty small and dainty looking gull. But I dont think it's small enough even though that bill is SMALL. There was a Thayer's Gull in the flock and I thought it was decidedly smaller...but not by much. In the field it did not hit me as being small but then I went to the camera fairly quickly (good thing I did) before looking very closely.
I think this is a second cycle (bird seeing his second winter) bird going by the adult feathers coming in on his back. I might expect a Glaucous Gull to have a light coloured eye at this point. All Ive seen of this age have had it but it can be variable I understand. There's a lot of markings on this guy as well when the majority of 2nd year Glaucous Gulls seem to be much paler. I also thought that many Iceland Gulls also have a paler eye though. The head sometimes looks sloped (Glaucous) but then it can also look more roundy (Iceland)...
It did make gentle calls several times. I did not pay close attention but it did seem to sound similar to the description in Sibleys for Glaucous Gull (this would be the first time Ive used the sound a gull makes to help in identification considerations!!!)
Hope it's there tomorrow again for a better look. Im still leaning towards small Glaucous Gull but it certainly deserves a more in depth look. Maybe we'll have Thor on a plane back here yet!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Thoughts anyone?
This is her(?) making the calls
Now looking at the pictures Im looking at a pretty small and dainty looking gull. But I dont think it's small enough even though that bill is SMALL. There was a Thayer's Gull in the flock and I thought it was decidedly smaller...but not by much. In the field it did not hit me as being small but then I went to the camera fairly quickly (good thing I did) before looking very closely.
I think this is a second cycle (bird seeing his second winter) bird going by the adult feathers coming in on his back. I might expect a Glaucous Gull to have a light coloured eye at this point. All Ive seen of this age have had it but it can be variable I understand. There's a lot of markings on this guy as well when the majority of 2nd year Glaucous Gulls seem to be much paler. I also thought that many Iceland Gulls also have a paler eye though. The head sometimes looks sloped (Glaucous) but then it can also look more roundy (Iceland)...
It did make gentle calls several times. I did not pay close attention but it did seem to sound similar to the description in Sibleys for Glaucous Gull (this would be the first time Ive used the sound a gull makes to help in identification considerations!!!)
Hope it's there tomorrow again for a better look. Im still leaning towards small Glaucous Gull but it certainly deserves a more in depth look. Maybe we'll have Thor on a plane back here yet!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Thoughts anyone?
This is her(?) making the calls
