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.