Monthly Notables December 2020

 Sightings:

• California Gull (1st cycle). East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. 01 December 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 02 December 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). San Joaquin County, California. 04 December 2020.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Toronto County, Ontario. 05 December 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Simcoe County, Ontario. 05 December 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Peel County, Ontario. 05 December 2020.
• Continuing from September 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Erie County, New York. 05 December 2020.
• California Gull (adult). Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. 06 December 2020.
• Common Gull (1st cycle). Kings County, New York. 07 December 2020.
• Common Gull (1st cycle). New London County, Connecticut. 09 December 2020.
• First 1st cycle from the canus complex recorded in the state.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Keith County, Nebraska. 09 December 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Denton County, Texas. 14 December 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Del Norte County, California. 15 December 2020.
• Mew Gull (adult). Kings County, New York. 16 December 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Blount County, Tennessee. 18 December 2020.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (subadult). Algoma District, Ontario. 18 December 2020.
• Thayer's Gull (adult). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 19 December 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, Ontario. 19 December 2020.
• Apparently a returning individual from previous years. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Santa Barbara County, California. 19 December 2020.
• California Gull (adult). St. Louis County, Minnesota. 20 December 2020.
• Ivory Gull (1st cycle). St. John's. 21 December 2020.
• California Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 21 December 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, New York. 22 December 2020.
• Same individual from Niagara County, Ontario.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). North Okanagen District, BC. 23 December 2020.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Rankin County, Mississippi. 24 December 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 27 December 2020.
• Glaucuos Gull (1st cycle). Gulf County, Florida. 27 December 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Lorain County, Ohio. 28 December 2020.
• A different adult than the previous day in Cuyahoga.
• Slaty-backed Gull (subadult). Toronto County, Ontario. 28 December 2020.
• Continuing. Same individual from Peel. Completing DPB.
• Mew Gull (adult). Tarrant County, Texas. 28 December 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Palm Beach County, 30 December 2020.
• Back in PBC 16 months after initial sighting. Undergoing PA2.
• California Gull (adult). Jefferson County, Wisconsin. 30 December 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Lorain County, Ohio. 31 December 2020.

December 2020 Quiz

 

Wisconsin. June.

Age: The primaries are 1st generation, as are the brown median/lesser coverts and tertials. It's also likely the greater coverts are 1st generation, and the different color here is due to a combination of a paler pattern on this tract and wear. The gray scapulars are likely a mix of 1st alternate and formative feathers. Note also hints of a black distal tailband just below the primaries. Thus, we will assume this is a 1st cycle, but May-June is prime time for the start of flight feather molt, and only an open wing would reveal if the 2nd plumage cycle has "formally" commenced. 

Identification: This is a small tern-like gull. The petite bill and short tarsi suggest the smallest of the sternine gulls. The black cap can be found on Bonaparte's at this time of year, but this head pattern, along with the solid brown covert band across the wing panel supports a different species. The black and white saw-tooth pattern on the primaries readily identifies this individual as a Little Gull. 

Monthly Notables November 2020

 Sightings:

• California Gull (2nd cycle). Sangamon County, Illinois. 04 November 2020.
• Continuing from June 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult type). Hancock County, Maine. 05 November 2020.
• 1st/2nd County Record.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (1st cycle). Lewis & Clark County, Montana. 05 November 2020.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Maricopa County, Arizona. 05 November 2020.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Bayfield/Ashland County, Wisconsin. 05/08 November 2020.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). San Luis Obispo County, California. 06 November 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Deschutes County, Oregon. 07 November 2020.
• 1st County Record. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Kern County, California. 07 November 2020.
• 4/5th County Record. First record locally in the Mojave Desert portion of Kern.
• Laughing Gull (subadult). Branch County, Michigan. 07 November 2020.
• 1st County Record. 
• Black-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle). Larimer/Weld County, Colorado. 11/12 November 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Owyhee County, Idaho. 11 November 2020.
• California Gull (adult). Douglas County, Wisconsin. 14 November 2020. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Monterey County, California. 19 November 2020.
• California Gull (3rd cycle). Brazoria County, Texas. 20 November 202. 
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle type). Washoe County, Nevada. 20 November 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Taylor County, Texas. 21 November 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 21 November 2020.
• Presumably the same waif that has navigated Florida's coasts since August 2019.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Pueblo County, Colorado. 22 November 2020.
• Believed to be the same individual returning here for the 27th consecutive winter.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Brevard County, Florida. 22 November 2020.
• Glaucuos-winged Gull (2nd cycle). Dakota County, Minnesota. 22 November 2020.
• 6th State Record. 2nd County Record.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Peel & Toronto County, Ontario. 07/22 November 2020.
• Continuing locally since September 2020.
• Mew Gull (adult). Niagara/Brant County, Ontario. 24 November 2020.
• Mew Gull (adult). Tarrant County, Texas. 25 November 2020.
• Mew Gull (adult type). Hamilton County, Ontario. 26 November 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Brainard Ontario. 27 November 2020.
• Iceland Gull (1st cycle). Stark County, Ohio. 27 November 2020.
• Apparent nominate glaucoides. 
• California Gull (adult). Galveston County, Texas. 29 November 2020.

Notes:

• The adult Great Black-backed Gull that winters in Pueblo County, Colorado returned late this month for the 29th consecutive year. This would constitute a longevity record for the species in North America, but alas, it lives without a leg band. The official longevity record of a known-age Great Black-backed Gull in North America is 26 years 9 months.

November 2020 Quiz

 

Indiana. May.

Age: A large four-year gull with two generations of primaries showing. Primary replacement well underway. The 5 inner primaries are new, 2nd generation feathers, and thus this individual is in its 2nd molt cycle. All secondaries are 1st basic.

Identification: Overall the head, body and uppertail are very white for a four-year gull in early 2nd cycle. The thin tailband and overall peppered plumage aspect are reminiscent of Great Black-backed gull. The ginormous bill and stealth-bomber body with long thick legs all help identify this as a Great Black-backed Gull. 

Indeed, the field-readable leg band "Black 3U4" trace this bird back to its natal colony of Appledore Island in Maine. More on this individual here. 

Monthly Notables October 2020

 Sightings:

• Little Gull (1st cycle). Nanaimo District, British Columbia. 02 October 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle type). Pierce County, Washington. 02 October 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Toronto County, Ontario. 03-14 October 2020.
• Same individual from nearby Mississauga County from September 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Peace River District, British Columbia. 06 October 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Pima County, Arizona. 07 October 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Lake County, Montana. 11 October 2020.
• 2nd State Record.
• Ross's Gull (adult). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 16 October 2020.
• Apparent 2nd Record for the Kenai Peninsula.
• Little Gull (adult). Kitsap County, Washington. 16 October 2020.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). St Joseph County, Michigan. 17 October 2020.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). North Interlake Area County, Manitoba. 17 October 2020.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Anchorage County, Alaska. 17 October 2020.
• California Gull (3rd cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 17 October 2020.
• Apparent 1st Record for Bering Sea region.
• California Gull (adult). Jefferson County, Wisconsin. 19 October 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 19 October 2020.
• Presumably a returning bird since winter of 2016.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Ashland County, Wisconsin. 20 October 2020.
• 1st County Record.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (ad., 2nd cycle). Wasco County, Oregon. 20 October 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Sarasota County, Florida, 21 October 2020. 21 October 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Chatham-Kent County, Ontario. 23 October 2020.
• Black-tailed Gull (adult). San Francisco County, California. 23 October 2020.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Clinton County, Iowa. 25 October 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Maricopa County, Arizona. 25 October 2020.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Grundy County, Illinois. 26 October 2020.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Miami County, Kansas. 26 October 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Lincoln County, Oregon. 26 October 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (4th cycle type). Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska. 27 October 2020. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Clallam County, Washington. 28 October 2020.

Notes:

• 212 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were counted in Findlay, Ohio, on 17 October 2020. Guatam Apte and Jerald Reb reported approximately 40% of the flock consisted of adult type birds. This count is without question a new high for Lessers recorded anywhere away from the Atlantic.
• On 27 October, Amy Courtney found a subadult Lesser Black-backed Gull in Hoonah, Alaska. Several traits suggest an Asian taxon, but ruling out a European form is proving difficult. 
• On 22 October, Christopher Coxson photographed a 1st cycle Iceland Gull in British Columbia that appears to be from the nominate subspecies, L g. glaucoides.

October 2020 Quiz

 

Washington. January.

Age: This is one of our four-year gulls. Almost everything looks okay for an adult, but the dull bill pattern with black near the tip, and darker greater primary coverts (just below the drooping white secondaries at the base of the outermost primaries) suggest a subadult. Here, subadult means a bird that's mostly adult, but with one or two imperfections. This is a vague term for what could be a very advanced 3rd cycle type, 4th cycle, or perhaps an older bird with some retained "subadult" features. 

Identification: Given the location, let's start with the expected pink-legged taxa: Western and Glaucous-winged Gull. The gray upperparts look a tad darker than a typical Glaucous-winged and slightly flatter and paler than Western. Also, the dusky gray primaries are intermediate between the black on Western and pale to medium gray of Glaucous-winged. You may already be on to where this is going. Intermediate individuals such as our October Quiz gull are freely assigned to the hybrid population of this region: Glaucous-winged x Western, or Olympic Gull. They often have more bulbous-tipped bills than this one, but we might attribute this to our bird being a slighter female. The smudgy head, neck and breast markings are expected on both Glaucous-winged Gull and Olympic Gulls, and to a much lesser extent, on Western Gulls (subadults). 

It bears mentioning that birds with this amount of pigment on the primaries are routinely identified as pure Glaucous-winged Gulls in far northeast Asia. From southern Alaska down to central California, Glaucous-wingeds with this degree of pigment on the primaries are often suspected of having either Herring or Western influence. However, there are apparent pure Glaucous-winged Gulls with darker primaries matching our bird. Those birds should score perfectly in other areas such as wingtip pattern, gray upperpart coloration, eye color, orbital color and bill color/pattern.

Monthly Notables September 2020

 Sightings:

• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle type). Sitka County, Alaska. 02 September 2020.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle). Huron County, Ontario. 02 September 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Glynn County, Georgia. 04 September 2020.
• Continuing from June 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle). Prince County, Prince Edward Island. 04 September 2020.
• Continuing from July 2020. 
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Lane County, Oregon. 06 September 2020.
• Little Gull (2 - 1st cycles). Cook County, Illinois. 07 September 2020.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Inyo County, California. 09 September 2020.
• 2nd County Record. 
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Jefferson County, Colorado. 11 September 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (juvenile). Pictou County, Nova Scotia. 15 September 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (7 - juveniles). Bay County, Michigan. 16 September 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Norfolk County, Ontario. 16 September 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Mendocino County, California. 16 September 2020. 
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Juneau County, Alaska. 16 September 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Johnson County, Iowa. 19 September 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Mississauga, Ontario. 21 September 2020.
• 1st September Record locally, and for the entire Great Lakes region.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Maricopa County, Arizona. 20 September 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult type). Keith County, Nebraska. 20 September 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Pierce County, Washington. 24 September 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). San Miguel County, Colorado. 24 September 2020.
• 1st County Record.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Yavapai County, Arizona. 24 September 2020.
• 1st County Record.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Douglas County, Wisconsin. 26 September 2020.
• Red-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle type). Nanaimo District, British Columbia. 27 September 2020.

Notes:

1. There was an above average presence of Little Gulls throughout the lower 48 this month, many in mostly fresh juvenile plumage. 

2. Lesser Black-backed numbers were likely the highest they've ever been in September throughout the interior, especially in the far southwest United States.

3. A 2nd cycle type Red-legged Kittiwake was observed for less than an hour in Deep Bay (Vancouver Island). This appears to be the 2nd occurrence of this species in BC.

September 2020 Quiz

Wisconsin. February.

Age: Profile and stature suggest a large-white headed gull. An open wing would be helpful for such a plumage aspect, but the overall muted and plain pattern to the tertials and upperwing coverts, as well as the amount of adult-like gray on the back, suggest a 2nd cycle type gull. The primaries, particularly p7-p8, are gently rounded at the tips, which should help move us away from 1st cycle. The bill pattern, with yellow on the nail, is also more expected on an individual beyond its first cycle. 

Identification: Beginning with the primaries, we note a dark brown coloration -- not black -- with prominent pale edging, especially on p5-p6 (closest to the tertials). The tertials are a couple of shades paler, encircled with a pale outline. The coverts become a shade paler than the tertials and have a noticeable frosty look. And so from the wingtip to the lesser coverts, the bird gradually goes from dark to pale in an even manner.  Structurally, the bill is relatively thin with no noticeable buldge at the gonys. The head is nicely rounded, and the head and breast markings are more smudged than streaky. Also helpful here as a supporting field mark is the vividly pink legs. All of this points toward a white-winged gull -- too lanky and small-billed to be Glaucous-winged, which leaves us with Iceland Gull. 

Additional Comments: Note that Glaucous-winged x Herring Gulls can approach this plumage aspect. Those hybrids tend to have a heavy-chested appearance, as well as more body behind the legs and slightly shorter-looking wings than this. But surely there are instance when these two -- Thayer's and Glaucous-winged x Herring hybrids -- can be difficult to separate. 

Monthly Notables August 2020

Sightings:

• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Glynn County, Georgia. 01 August 2020.
• Continuing from June 2020.
• Thayer's Gull (2nd cycle). Lorain County, Ohio. 02 August 2020.
• Laughing Gull (juvenile). Monroe County, New York. 03 August 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult type). Worcester County, Maryland. 03 August 2020.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Sangamon County, Illinois. 04 August 2020.
• Continuing from July 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 04 August 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Portage la Prairie Area County, Manitoba. 07 August 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Kings County, Prince Edward Island. 08 August 2020.
• 2nd Province record, which comes less than two weeks after the 1st province record.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Wagoner County, Oklahoma. 09 August 2020.
• Laughing Gull (adult type). Marin County, California. 15 August 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 18 August 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Capital District, British Columbia. 21 August 2020.
• 2nd Vancouver Island record.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Stark County, Ohio. 23 August 2020.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Erie County, New York. 25 August 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Central Okanagan District, British Columbia. 26 August 2020. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Clallam County, Washington. 27 August 2020.
• 3rd County Record.
• Laughing Gull (juvenile). Niagara County, Ontario. 27 August 2020.
• Laughing Gull (juvenile). Erie County, New York. 27 August 2020.
• Same individual as Niagara County, Ontario.
• Sabine's Gull (2nd cycle type). Lake County, Tennessee. 27 August 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Anchorage County, Alaska. 26 August 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 27 August 2020.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Highland County, Ohio. 29 August 2020.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Eddy County, New Mexico. 29 August 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska. 29 August 2020.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Kossouth County, Iowa. 30 August 2020

Notes:

1. August saw countless reports of juvenile Heermann's Gulls all along the California, Oregon and Washington coast. The breeding season of 2020 proved to be a banner year with respect to breeding success, one that has not been witnessed for the last 3-4 years.  

August 2020 Quiz

Massachusetts. July. 

Age: The outer primaries on both individuals are tattered and faded, but the upperparts are largely new. There are obvious molt gaps throughout the upperwing coverts, especially the greater coverts. Both birds appear to be in their 2nd molt cycle with retained juvenile primaries

Identification: The size difference seen here is real, as can be seen from the bill and head dimensions, as well as body and leg girth. The individual on the left is a standard 2nd cycle Great Black-backed Gull with white body, checkered upperparts and a stout bill. On the right, we see a thin bill, sleek rear to the body, and what looks like a svelte, long-winged gull. The upperparts are too solidly dark and checkered for a 2nd cycle Herring, and the clean white underparts also don't evoke thoughts of that species. This bird is a Lesser Black-backed with a somewhat cleaner white head and neck than average, and upperparts that still don't show any signs of adult-like gray. The bicolored bill is also more advanced than many similar-aged Lessers which typically have more black blended through the bill base. Here's my idea of a more average-looking LBBG for comparison.

Of interest here is that GBBG and LBBG don't often look this similar at one year of age, but these two are surprisingly similar. Size and structure are very helpful here.

Monthly Notables July 2020

Sightings:

• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Glynn County, Georgia. 01 July 2020.
• Continuing from June.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Clark County, Ohio. 02 July 2020.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult type). Del Norte County, California. 08-18 July 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle). Orange County, New York. 10 July 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Talbot County, Maryland. 10 July 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 10 July 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Lorain County, Ohio. 11 July 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 12 July 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Duval County, Florida. 12 July 2020.
• Present on the eastern FL coast since August 2019. 
• Now well into its 2nd prebasic molt with p1-p7 replaced. 
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. 15 July 2020.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Springfield County, Illinois. 19 July 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Mobile County, Alabama. 19 July 2020.
• Continuing from June. 
• Ring-billed Gull (adult). Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska. 19 July 2020.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Delaware County, Ohio. 21 July 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (juvenile). Dillingham County, Alaska. 22 July 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 26 July 2020. 
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle type). Prince County, Prince Edward Island. 27 July 2020.
• 1ST PROVINCE RECORD.
• Laughing Gull (adult type). Keith County, Nebraska. 28 July 2020.

July 2020 Quiz

JANUARY; CALIFORNIA

Age: This appears to be a large, four-year gull. Based on the rounded primary tips, muted pattern to the inner primaries and wing coverts, moderate gray on the back, and largely white tail coverts, we can safely assume this is a 2nd cycle. A 1st cycle holding on to all its flight feathers would likely show less gray on the back, and patterned uppertail coverts and greater coverts. A 3rd cycle would show adult-like primaries, or at the very least, adult-like inner primaries, which this individual does not. 

Identification: Based on the darker gray scapulars that have come in, we can eliminate paler-backed species such as the Iceland Gulls, Herring Gull and even Glaucous-winged Gull. One may ask, how do we correctly interpret the gray on the back, and this could be done by judging the white on the uppertail coverts. The white on the uppertail is a true white -- not blown out and not covered in shadow. Thus, we can visually measure the contrast between the gray upperparts and the uppertail to get a sense of gray values.

This is a broad-winged bird with noticeable white tips across the secondaries. It looks too broad winged for Lesser Black-backed and the bill appears too heavy for that species too. Judging from the swollen bill appearance and smudged head and dusky neck markings, this bird best fits a 2nd cycle Western Gull, and is actually a fairly typical bird. A 2nd cycle Yellow-footed Gull at this time of year would show some indication of adult-like flight feathers and should perhaps average more gray on the upperwing coverts. The date and location also support Western Gull. 

Monthly Notables June 2020

Sightings:

• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Lincoln County, Oregon. 01 June 2020.
• Continuing. Apparently only the second "June" record, locally.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Montreal County, Quebec.03 June 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). La Vallee-de-l-'Or County, Quebec. 04 June 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle type). New London County, Connecticut. 05 June 2020.
• Laughing Gull (2 - 2nd cycles). Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. 10 June 2020.
• 2nd County Record. 
• Glaucous-winged Gull (2nd cycle). Wichita County, Texas. 08 June 2020.
• Pending acceptance. Would be 2nd State Record. 
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Lake County, Illinois. 10 June 2020.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. 11 June 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Cape Many County, New Jersey. 13 June 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Glynn County, Georgia. 13 June 2020.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Jackson County, Colorado. 13 June  2020.
• Iceland Gull (2nd cycle). Allegan County, Michigan. 15 June 2020.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. 15 June 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Albany County, Wyoming. 16 June 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 19 June 2020.
• 1st County Record. First summer record for MD since 2008.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Bay County, Michigan. 20 June 2020.
• 2nd County Record. Last seen in Bay County in December 1981. 
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 21 June 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Duval County, Florida. 21 June 2020.
• Now in it's 2nd plumage cycle. Same individual since August 2019.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Mendocino County, California. 22 June 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle type). Macomb County, Michigan. 25 June 2020.
• Sabine's Gull (2nd cycle type). Los Angeles County, California. 27 June 2020.

Notes:

• The biggest surprise this month was the apparent Glaucous-winged type from Wichita County, Texas. It looks like a bona fide Glaucous-winged Gull, but bleaching on the primaries makes it impossible to ascertain previous patterns. Uppertail pattern favors Glaucous-winged Gull over a hybrid.
• 08 June 2020 - 2nd prebasic molt in motion with p1-p2 missing.
• 11 June 2020 - new p1 barely visible, just beyond primary coverts.
• 12 June 2020 - p3 missing, new p1 now clearly visible well beyond p-coverts.
• The other highlight this month is alternate adult Black-headed Gulls found in random places that they're not usually expected in the summer. Most notable is Bay County, Michigan which had not seen this species in the county in 39 years, and is now a first summer record. 
• Finally, summering Lesser Black-backeds in the interior continue to increase in the summer season, especially for the last 3 consecutive years. Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska all reported 1-3 birds each. All of these individuals, expect for Wyoming, appear to be one-year-olds beginning their 2nd plumage cycles. 

June 2020 Quiz

June. Wisconsin.

Age:  It's safe to assume this is a 1st cycle based ont the black terminal band on the tail.

Identification: Our June bird appears to be a small, two-cycle, gull. The small, pointy bill, black pseudo-hood and thin black tips to the primaries immediately evoke Little Gull and Bonaparte's. It's difficult to judge bill proportions here, but Black-headed is safely ruled out not only by the bill's color, but also by the white under side to the primaries. As for Bonaparte's, that species would show a prominent black trailing edge running across all of the remiges. Here's an example of a typical trailing edge on Bonaparte's:

Instead, what we see here is a "spotty" black trailing edge that is discontinuous and weakly patterned, which leaves us with Little Gull.

Monthly Notables May 2020

Sightings:

• Little Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 01 May 2020.
• Western Gull (3rd cycle type). Grand Prairie County, Alberta. 04 May 2020.
• An apparent 1st record for the province.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Duval County, Florida. 04 May 2020.
• Continuing from April 2020. Same individual roaming the FL coast since August 2019.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). San Diego County, California. 06 May 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Harrison County, Mississippi. 07 May 2020.
• California Gull (3rd cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 09 May 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Galveston County, Texas. 10 May 2020.
  
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 11 May 2020.
• Likely the same individual from Anchor Point on 07 May 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Iqaluit, Nunavut. 16 May 2020.
• 2nd record for the territory. Wearing an unread silver band on right leg.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Iqaluit, Nunavut. 16 May 2020.
• Seen at the same landfill in Baffin where the Black-headed above was found.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). La Vallee-de-l'Or County, Quebec. 17 May 2020.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle type). Walla Walla County, Washington. 17 May 2020.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Edmonton County, Alberta. 18 May 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Dubuque County, Iowa. 24 May 2020.
  
• Slaty-backed Gull (2nd cycle). San Francisco County, California. 27 May 2020.
• Laughing Gull (adult). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 27 May 2020.

May 2020 Quiz

Michigan. August.

Age: This month's quiz is timely with many gulls in the northern hemisphere now beginning to replace flight feathers. Undergoing a complete molt, this individual has renewed most of its primaries which have an adult-like pattern to them. Overall the upperwing and tail are far from "definitive adult" and so it is perfectly fine to assume the newer flight feathers that have come in are 3rd generation. Thus, this is the 3rd plumage cycle and the complete molt here is the 3rd prebasic molt. The old retained primary (p10) is 2nd generation.

Identification: The brownish cast to the upperparts impart a darker feel than is typical of this species. Focusing on the new primaries, it is apparent that we're looking at a paler gray species. The bill is on the heavy side, but proportionately sized with the head. The eye appears dark, but zooming in shows much speckling and paling -- this helps rule out California Gull. The wide and complete tailband, and bill pattern, are wrong for a Ring-billed Gull, among several other features. The only reasonable identification for this pink-legged, pale, large white-headed gull, is Herring Gull.

Monthly Notables April 2020

Sightings:

• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Douglas County, Wisconsin. 02 April 2020.
• Mew Gull (1st cycle). Nueces County, Texas. 03  April 2020.
• Continuing from February 2020. 
• Yellow-legged Gull (adult). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 07 April 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Chittenden County, Vermont. 07 April 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Ventura County, California. 07 April 2020.
• California Gull (subadult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 10 April 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Prince William County, Virginia. 17 April 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Pima County, Arizona. 18 April 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 20 April 2020.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). San Francisco County, California. 20 April 020.
• Apparent 4th record for San Francisco.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Suffolk County, New York. 21 April 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (2 adults). San Mateo & San Francisco County, California. 24 April 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Mason County, West Virginia. 24 April 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Duval County, Florida. 26 April 2020.
• 1st County Record. Roaming eastern Florida coast since August 2019.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Racine County, Wisconsin. 27 April 2020.
• Black-tailed Gull (adult). Central Okanagan District, British Columbia. 30 April 2020.

April 2020 Quiz

Age: An apparent large white-headed gull that appears to be beyond its 1st cycle. Notice the marbled inner greater coverts and lower tertial edges. Also, there appears to be three generations of median coverts. The mid median coverts are oldest. These worn and frayed feathers are likely 2nd basic. The outer median coverts are fresher and may have come in with a later 2nd prebasic wave (along with the lesser coverts). The darker gray inner medians are very likely 2nd alternate. All in all, the upperparts do not fit a 1st cycle. It's difficult to make out primary-tip shape or patterns, but the very small and indistinct white tips to p6-p7 on otherwise black primaries are expected on 2nd generation flight feathers.

Identification: This is a four-year gull with an apparent long wing projection, prominent gape with a "frown", a dark post-ocular line, pinched in forehead, straight tubular bill with a familiar distal-black, proximal-red pattern on the tip, bluish tibia, heavy lower neck markings, and medium gray upperparts coming in. The gull in the background is a heavy-billed Western Gull giving us a very good sense of overall body size and shape. I hope by now you've settled on California Gull if you were unsure about our April quiz. Many people nailed this one without a problem this month but were tripped up by plumage/age. One final note on that, notice the very tip to the bill. In 1st cycles, the tip is typically all black, similar to that we see in many 1st-2nd cycle Glaucous.

Santa Cruz County, California. January.

Monthly Notables March 2020

Sightings:

• Black-headed Gull (adult). Riverside County, California. 01 March 2020.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (adult). Larimer County, Colorado. 01 March 2020.
• California Gull (adult). St. Joseph County, Indiana. 01 March 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Allegan County, Michigan. 02 March 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Lancaster County, Nebraska. 06 March 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Comox-Strathcona District, British Columbia. 07 March 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Davidson County, Tennessee. 08 March 2020.
• Mew Gull (adult). Clay County, Missouri. 11 March 2020.
• 2nd State Record.
• Kumlien's Gull (1st cycle). Harrison County, Mississippi. 11 March 2020.
• Laughing Gull (adult). St. Charles County, Missouri. 11 March 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Sitka County, Alaska. 12 March 2020.
• California Gull (adult). Scott County, Minnesota. 15 March 2020.
• 1st County Record.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). San Diego County, California. 18 March 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Lancaster County, Nebraska. 19 March 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Nassau County, Florida. 19 March 2020.
• Same individual spotted along the eastern Florida coast all winter.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). San Bernadino County, California. 21 March 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Galveston County, Texas. 21 March 2020.
• California Gull (adult). Dakota County, Minnesota. 23 March 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Monterey County, California. 27 March 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). St. John's County, Florida. 27 March 2020.
• Same individual spotted along the eastern Florida coast all winter.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Wayne County, Ohio. 28 March 2020.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Nantucket County, Massachusetts. 28 March 2020.

Notes:

1) On 19 March 2020, Priscilla Footlik reported "the" 1st cycle Heermann's Gull that has been wintering on the eastern Florida coast at Fernandina Beach in Nassau County. This is the northernmost sighting of this individual, just a rock's throw from the Georgia border.

March 2020 Quiz

Northern Illinois. 

Age: 
Somewhat of a tricky plumage, but when compared to the 2nd cycle Herring in the background, we can be confident about categorizing this as a larger four-year gull. Based on the rounded tips to the primaries (see the innermost primary closest to the tertials, for instance), it's safe to suggest 2nd cycle. The plain, marbled, greater coverts and soft stippling on the outer edges of the lower tertials also support 2nd cycle.

Identification:
This overall delicate-looking gull has smaller proportions, with a small head and short, straight bill. Looking critically at the primaries, note they're actually a dark brown and not black. The tertials are a lighter brown, and the contrast from wingtip to wing coverts is a gradual one (not as contrasy as the Herring in the background). There aren't many gray, adult-like, scapulars on the back and that's somewhat helpful. The mostly black bill for a 2nd cycle four-year gull is also a good supporting field mark for this species. If you guessed Thayer's Gull for this month's quiz, congratulations and well done. Based on size, structure and plumage, I identified this individual as a 2nd cycle Thayer's Gull. Open wing below.

Lake County, Illinois. March.

Monthly Notables February 2020

Sightings:

• Little Gull (adult type). Caddo Parish, Louisiana. 01 February 2020.
• 1st county record. 
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Val Verde County, Texas. 01 February 2020.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Delaware County, Pennsylvania. 01 February 2020.
• Pending acceptance.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 01 February 2020.
• Common Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 03 February 2020.
• Mew Gull (adult). Norfolk County, Massachusetts. 03 February 2020.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Nueces County, Texas. 04 February 2020.
• Mew Gull (1st cycle). Nueces County, Texas. 04 February 2020.
• Slaty-back Gull (adult). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 04 February 2020.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Essex County, New York. 05 February 2020.
• Apparent 1st winter record for Lake Champlain basin & Adironacks.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Okaloosa County, Florida. 06 February 2020.
• Ivory Gull (1st cycle). Lake County, Montana. 08 February.
• Continuing from January.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Tompkins County, New York. 09 February 2020.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 11 February 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Monterey County, California. 13 February 2020.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 14 February 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Yolo County, California. 15 February 2020.
• Likely same individual from January.
• California Gull (adult). St. Joseph County, Indiana. 15 February 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Dallas County, Texas. 16 February 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 19 February 2020.
• 2nd State Record. 1st County Record.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Del Norte County, California. 25 February 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 29 February 2020.
  

February 2020 Quiz

Age: The plain brown upperparts and pointed primary tips suggest a 1st cycle which appears to be mostly juvenile (1st basic). The dark auriculars may also clue us in to a bird that has hatched not too long ago.

Identification: The milky-brown plumage aspect, with muted and plain wing coverts are very suggestive of Glaucous-winged. The eye is disproportionately small for such a large face, also suggesting a Pacific Northwest taxon. The outer primaries and uppertail contrast with the rest of the plumage, indicating a darker-winged species may be involved. This is usually a draw between Western and Herring, and knowing the location and time of year would be helpful. The bill isn't too large, or at least the tip isn't as bulbous or blob-tipped like many Western x Glaucous-wingeds. Further, the upperparts all have distinct notching to their edges, something frequently found in Herring x Glaucous-wingeds. To further rule out Western influence, note that the covert rows don't have any wavy barring or checkered patterning.

This individual was photographed on the Kenai Peninsula in late August, the origin of many Herring x Glaucous-winged Gulls. Another photo below in profile, giving a better idea of how dark the primaries are - a little too dark to be comfortably called a pure Glaucous-winged in the Cook Inlet region.

Monthly Notables January 2020

Sightings:

• Little Gull (1st cycle). Riverside County, California. 01 January 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Riverside County, California. 02 January 2020.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). San Diego County, California. 05 January 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Palm Beach County, Florida. 06 January 2020.
• Continuing.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Osage County, Kansas. 06 January 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 10 January 2020.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (adult). Salt Lake County, Utah. 11 January 2020.
• Mew Gull (1st cycle). Nueces County, Texas. 12 January 2020.
• California Gull (adult). Sarasota County, Florida. 12 January 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Davidson County, Tennessee. 12 January 2020.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 14 January 2020.
• Little Gull (adult). Rankin County, Mississippi. 14 January 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Eddy County, New Mexico. 14 January 2020.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Pictou County, Nova Scotia. 16 January 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Boulder County, Colorado. 19 January 2020.
• Common Gull (adult). Bristol County, Massachusetts. 20 January 2020.
• 1st county record of this subspecies.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Escambia County, Florida. 20 January 2020.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. 23 January 2020.
• Pending acceptance. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Monterey County, California. 23 January 2020.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Caddo Parish, Louisiana. 24 January 2020.
• California Gull (subadult). Sangamon County, Illinois. 25 January 2020.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Lee County, Florida. 25 January 2020.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Larimer County, Colorado. 26 January 2020.
• Apparently the same individual from Boulder County. 
• California Gull (1st cycle). Ketchikan Gateway County, Alaska. 26 January 2020.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Orange County, California. 29 January 2020.
• Ivory Gull (1st cycle). Lake County, Montana. 30 January 2020.
• FIRST STATE RECORD.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Yolo County, California. 31 January 2020.

January 2020 Quiz

Aging this one is a bit trickier than usual, and should be done in conjunction with its identity. The underbody and wing linings are very adult-like, but confusing here is a largely black tail, no mirrors and a pale iris.

This species has a longer and thinner than average bill when compared to most other 4 years gulls. The upperparts, at least what we can detect from them on the upperside of the far wing, are somewhere between a Laughing Gull and pale-end Lesser Black-backed Gull.

The yellow legs and proximal-red, distal-black, bill tip pattern are very helpful to narrowing this down to Black-tailed Gull. The black tailband and uniformly broad white tips to the tail is key. No other species in North America will show this.

As for its age, the black splotches across the secondary centers and dusky under primary coverts make it fairly safe to call it a 3rd cycle type.

A complete dorsal view of this beauty:

3rd Cycle Black-tailed Gull. Choshi, Japan. December.

Monthly Notables December 2019

Sightings:

• Ross's Gull (adult). King County, Washington. 01 December 2019.
• 3rd State Record.
• Heermann's Gull (adult type). Tarrant County, Texas. 02 December 2019.
• 5th State Record.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Brant County, Ontario. 06 December 2019.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, Ontario. 08 December 2019.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. 06 December 2019.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). La Vallee-du-Richelieu County, Quebec. 07 December 2019.
• California Gull (adult). Marion County, Iowa. 08 December 2019.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). New Hanover County, North Carolina. 08 December 2019.
• Likely a returning bird for the 4th consecutive winter.
• Common Gull (adult). Pictou County, Nova Scotia. 08 December 2019.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, New York. 18 December 2019.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult & 2nd cycle). Middlesex County, Ontario. 13 December 2019.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Walla Walla County, Washington. 16 December 2019.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 21 December 2019.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). San Mateo County, California. 21 December 2019.
• Mew Gull (2nd cycle). Dona Ana County, New Mexico. 22 December 2019.
• California Gull (adult). Middlesex County, New Jersey. 23 December 2019.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Cameron County, Texas. 25 December 2019.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Riverside County, California. 30 December 2019.
  
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Palm Beach County, Florida. 31 December 2019.
• Continuing individual wintering on FL Atlantic coast.

Notes:

1. The adult Ross's found on Lake Washington in Seattle appeared to be ill with droopy wings and a lazy gait. After two hours of observation birders witnessed a Bald Eagle fly in and effortlessly take the gull. It was carried to a nearby tree and consumed. Not unlike the story of the adult Ross's Gull from San Mateo County, California a few years ago, these sightings reinforce the belief that ROGUs which make it this far south do not fare well. 
2. Similar to last winter, southern Ontario hosted 3-4 Slaty-backed Gulls in December. 
3. Of interest is the 10,000 California Gulls reported in Salt Lake County, Utah in early December. 

December 2019 Quiz

Age: It appears this is a large four-year gull, and judging by the plumage aspect, we can estimate it is in its 3rd plumage cycle. The adult-like, gray, inner primaries, with broad white tips are sufficient enough to steer us away from 2nd cycle, but the black secondary centers, broad tail band, marked primary coverts and brown cast to the wing coverts assure us this isn't an adult.

Identification: To begin identifying this gull, we should ask which large four-year gull has a pale eye at this age, relatively paler gray upperparts and a proportionately-sized bill. California Gull is ruled out by the pale eye. Ring-billed - a 3 year gull -  may come to mind but this is a larger and more broad-winged bird. Furthermore, 2nd cycle Ring-billeds never show tailbands this wide. Our December bird is a fairly typical Herring Gull, except perhaps for the lack of white in the outer primaries. At this age, Herrings usually show a mirror (or two) on the outer wing, but on rare occasion may not. It is worth mentioning that gray feathers mixed with brown pigments almost always make sub-adults appear darker than typical adults. Add to this an already underexposed image and the result is a bird that appears darker than what we normally associate with American Herring Gull.

Chicago. November.