November 2021 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). El Paso County, Texas. 05 November 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). McLean County, North Dakota. 06 November 2021.
• 4th State Record. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 06 November 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Galveston County, Texas. 09 November 2021.
• Ross's Gull (adult). Alberni-Clayoquot District, British Columbia. 09 November 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (2 1st cycles). Cook County, Illinois. 09 November 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Pueblo County, Colorado. 10 November 2021.
• Believed the same adult now back for the 28th winter!
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Central Okanagan District, BC. 13 November 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Sarasota County, Florida. 14 November 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Ottawa County, Ontario. 14 November 2021.
• Continuing 1st Ottawa County record from last month. 
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). San Bernardino County, California. 15 November 2021.
• September bird from Arizona, now also being seen on the other side of the river.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle type). Reeves County, Texas. 16 November 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (4th cycle type). Escambia County, Florida. 16 November 2021.
• 2nd State Record. 
• Kamchataka Gull (adult). La Haute-Cote-Nord County, Quebec. 17 November 2021.
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). Mohave County, Arizona. 19 November 2021.
• Continuing 2nd State Record from September. 
• California Gull (adult). Essex County, Ontario. 20 November 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle type). Sonoma County, California. 21 November 2021. 
• California Gull (1st cycle). Algoma District, Ontario. 21 November 2021.
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). De Baca County, New Mexico. 21 November 2021.
• Continuing 1st State Record from September. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Los Angeles County, California. 22 November 2021.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle)*. Washington & Dakota County, Minnesota. 27 November 2021.
• 4th State Record. 2nd County Records.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Pierce County, Wisconsin. 27 November 2021.
• Same individual from MN. 
• Glaucous-winged Gull (2nd cycle)*. Simcoe County, Ontario. 27 November 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Davis County, Utah. 28 November 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 29 November 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle)*. Virginia Beach County, Virginia. 29 November 2021.
• Continuing Atlantic Coast Bird.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle)*. Hopewell County, Virginia. 29 November 2021.
• Now molting tail and inner secondary feathers. 

Notes:

 1. Benjamin Douglas found a 1st cycle Ross's Gull in Washington County, Minnesota on 27 November 2021. The bird was also seen in Dakota County, MN and across the river in Pierce County, Wisconsin, allowing many observers a two-state tick. As is often the case with these vagrant Arctic gulls, the bird started showing signs of lethargy on the 29th. It was retrieved on the morning of the 30th and expired in transit to a rehab center. 

2. Justin Peter found an apparent 2nd cycle Glaucous-winged Gull in Simcoe County, Ontario on 27 November 2021. This individual has upperparts that are slightly on the dark side, but still within range for this highly variable age group. Knowing the complexities of Glaucous-winged hybrids, Justin had the foresight to collect a "fresh" excrement sample. This would be Ontario's second record, pending review. 

3. Two lingering Heermann's Gulls were seen throughout the month in Virginia. These cooperative birds, a 1st cycle and a 3rd cycle are being seen nearly 80 miles apart. 

November 2021 Quiz

 

January. Japan. 

Age: The mottled brown upperparts with pointed primary tips are typical of a1st cycle, large four-year gull. This crisp individual with mostly fresh uppperparts, has retained a fair number of juvenile scapulars.

Identification: There are many species that come to mind given this overall plumage aspect. The pale rump and uppertail coverts, with defined tailband, immediately call to mind an old world Herring Gull. Given the location, it makes most sense to begin with Vega Gull. Although tail patterns are highly variable in this taxon, the prominent white seen on the outer edge of the outermost tail feathers is a "classic" look expected on 1st cycle Vega. Further, the rather uniform wing panel, with greater coverts largely checkered also supports Vega. In North America, eliminating smithsoninaus would be managable with a concise set of photos, but eliminating argentatus would be more problematic given the overlap in tail patterns. It suffices to recognize such birds as being "off" for American Herring Gull.

October 2021 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Red-legged Kittiwake (adult). Aleutians West County, Alaska. 01 October 2021.
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). San Bernardino, California. 01 October 2021.
• Continuing AZ bird from Sept 2021, now in California.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Bayfield County, Wisconsin. 02 October 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). San Diego County, California. 02 October 2021.
• Very likely a returning bird since at least 2017. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Calgary County, Alberta. 06 October 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Arapahoe County, Colorado. 07 October 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Ottawa County, Ontario. 08 October 2021.
• First Ottawa Record. Continuing through the end of the month.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Lee County, Florida. 09 October 2021.
• Short-billed Gull (juvenile). Johnson County, Iowa. 13 October 2021.
• Last Iowa Record January 2012.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 14 October 2021.
• A returning adult missing webbing on feet.
• Ivory Gull (juvenile). North Slope County, Alaska. 15 October 2021.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Broomfield County, Colorado. 16 October 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle type). Kent County, Rhode Island. 16 October 2021.
• 1st County Record. Apparent 5th State Record for RI.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle type). Cecil County, Maryland. 17 October 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 17 October 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Chatham County, South Carolina. 17 October 2021.
• Continuing East Coast bird.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). King County, Washington. 19 October 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult type). Lewis & Clark County, Montana. 20 October 2021.
• Kumlien's Gull (adult). Central Okanagan District, British Columbia. 24 October 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Lanark County, Ontario. 24 October 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Central Okanagan District, BC. 25 October 2021.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (1st cycle). Owyhee County, Idaho. 25 October 2021.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (juvenile). Salt Lake County, Utah. 25 October 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Clallam County, Washington. 26 October 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 26 October 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle). Nipissing County, Ontario. 26 October 2021.
• 1st Record for Algonquin Provincial Park - the oldest provincial park in Canada.
• Iceland Gull (adult). Central Okanagan District, British Columbia. 27 October 2021.
• A white-winged adult, suggestive of nominate. 
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Hopewell County, Virginia. 27 October 2021.
• 3rd State Record (see Notes below). 
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Humphreys County, Tennessee. 28 October. 2021.
• 1st County Record.
• California Gull (adult). Berrien County, Michigan. 29 October 2021.
• Ross's Gull (adult - flyby). Durham County, Ontario. 29 October 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Clermont County, Ohio. 30 October 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Polk County, Missouri. 30 October 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Polk County, Missouri. 30 October. 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Pinal County, Arizona. 30 October 2021.
• 1st County Record.

Notes:

1. On 13 October 2021, Skye Christopher G. Haas reported (at least) 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Marquette County, Michigan at the Dead River mouth. This constitutes an apparent high count for the species on Lake Superior.

2. The 1st cycle Yellow-footed Gull from De Baca County, New Mexico was still present as of 15 October 2021, now with nearly all 1st alternate scapulars. The 1st cycle from Arizona is also lingering, now seen on the California side of Lake Havasu.

3. The 1st cycle Heermann's Gull from Hopewell County, Virginia is likely the same bird first found 30 miles downstream of this site in mid-August 2021 (reported on iNaturalist but mostly slid under the radar). The bird has been lingering at the Hopewell City Marina for weeks, and according to fishermen, has been there since the week of June 21st. Note that this date would be unprecedented for a 1st cycle on the East Coast. A juvenile Laughing Gull can very well be what was seen in late June. Proper documentation desired. There are now 2 Heermann's Gulls on the East Coast -- this 1st cycle, and the long-staying 3rd cycle that's currently in South Carolina.

4. Three Slaty-backed Gulls reported across the state of Washington this month is noteworthy. 

October 2021 Quiz

 

Illinois. March.

Age: The mottled brown upperparts immediately suggest a young 1st or 2nd cycle type large gull. The obvious pointed tips to the visible primaries, juvenile-like wing panel, and apparent post-juvenile scapulars (e.g., 1st alternate), combine to make this a 1st cycle.

Identification: The checkered wing panel with white body recall one of the black-backed gulls. Lesser Black-backed tends to have less white throughout and darker outer greater coverts. This individual has broad white edges to the lower tertials, a large, heavy black bill and a plump body. All features point to a 1st cycle Great Black-backed Gull, and that's what our October Quiz bird was identified as. 

EVERY PARTICIPANT WHO SUBMITTED A REPLY THIS MONTH SUBMITTED THE CORRECT ANSWER. THAT HAS ONLY HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES BEFORE. WOO-HOO! THANKS FOR PLAYING.  

Monthly Notables September 2021

Sightings:

• Short-billed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 01 September 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Power County, Idaho. 01 September 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Rankin County, Mississippi. 01 September 2021.
• Common Gull (2nd cycle). Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia. 02 September 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Duval County, Florida. 02 September 2021. 
• The same waif on the Atlantic coast since August 2019.
• Sabine's Gull (juvenile). New Haven County, Connecticut. 03 September 2021.
• 3rd State Record. 
• Short-billed Gull (juvenile). North Battleford County, Saskatchewan. 04 September 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). New Haven County, Connecticut. 04 September 2021.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Lake County, Illinois. 04 September 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Franklin County, Pennsylvania. 05 September 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Ocean County, New Jersey. 06 September 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Osage County, Kansas. 07 September 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Marion County, Indiana. 08 September 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 08 September 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). York County, Maine. 09 September 2021.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Jefferson County, Illinois. 09 September 2021.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Natrona County, Wyoming. 10 September 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Prince William County, Virginia. 10 September 2021.
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). De Baca County, New Mexico. 10 September 2021.
• Apparent 1st State Record. 
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). Mohave County, Arizona. 10 September 2021.
• Apparent 2nd State Record.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Natrona County, Wyoming. 10 September 2021.
• Apparent 3rd State Record.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Umatilla County, Washington. 12 September 2021. 
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Onondoga County, New York. 15 September 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Lyon County, Kentucky. 17 September 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Rockingham County, Virginia. 17 September 2021.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Barton County, Kansas. 17 September 2021. 
• Sabine's Gull (juvenile). Rockingham County, Virginia. 17 September 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Sitka County, Alaska. 18 September 2021.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Colfax County, New Mexico. 18 September 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Bergen County, New Jersey. 21 September 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (juvenile). Forsyth County, Georgia. 21 September 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (juvenile). Desha County, Arkansas. 22 September 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Dubuque County, Iowa. 25 September 2021.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Walla Walla County, Washington. 26 September 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Comox-Strathcona, British Columbia. 28 September 2021.
• Iceland Gull (adult). Shelby County, Illinois. 28 September 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). San Diego County, California. 28 September 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Beaufort County, South Carolina. 30 September 2021.
• The same waif on the Atlantic coast since August 2019.

Notes:

1. Most unusual this month is two reports of Yellow-footed Gull at inland lakes in the Southwest. Both 1st cycles, and both reported on the same day, hours apart. The birds lingered allowing many people to leisurely add this species to their AZ & NM state lists. These reports, if accepted, would be a 1st state record for New Mexico, and a 2nd state record for Arizona. The New Mexico sighting would be the easternmost occurrence for the species. 

2. Ample Sabine's Gulls were reported inland this month, with an above average occurrence of adults. Little Gulls were also reported in higher than usual numbers west of the Mississippi River.   

September 2021 Quiz

 

California. September. 

Age: This is a large four-cycle species. Based on the bill pattern and marked primary coverts (beneath the central greater coverts where a swath of secondaries are missing), we might be correct in assuming this is a subadult, or near adult. The outermost primaries, p8-p10, are yet to grow, as well as a substantial number of secondary feathers. Thus, this bird is completing its prebasic molt. 

Identification: The heavily marked breast with dense horizontal markings, medium gray upperparts, blocky head and relatively small, dark eye nicely match Glaucous-winged Gull. However, the dark, contrasting primaries (out to p7) suggests hybridization. Glaucous-winged Gulls on the Pacific coast of North America commonly hybridize with Herring and Western Gull in two central hybrid zones, in the Cook Inlet region and the Pacific Northwest, respectively. This individual more closely matches a hybrid with Western Gull, and that's what it was identified as (so-called Olympic Gull). 

August 2021 Quiz

 

December. Illinois.

Age: Our quiz bird in the center of the frame appears to be an adult black-backed species, but the extensive black on the bill is excessive for an adult. An open wing may reveal subadult features on the plumage. The smaller white apicals are also atypical of adults. Such birds are best referred to as "adult type", which implies some ambiguity in age. 

Identification: Adult black-backed species can be sorted into two groups: those with yellow legs and those with pink legs. This individual appears to have intermediate leg color -- not the obvious pink seen on the two Herrings in the foreground, but also not the mustard-yellow seen on the Ring-billeds in the background. The legs do, however, have a dull yellow cast to them, which is not uncommon in adult type Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The bill pattern too is found on a good number of adult type Lessers. The size and structure seem to fit that species, and the clear iris and finer head streaking also support Lesser. It's upright posture and lowered wings give the body a rotund shape, almost recalling Slaty-backed Gull, and from a distance, such a wide tertial crescent may excite observers. But the attenuated look to the wings, leg color and extensive black on the bill all combine to make our August Quiz a relatively straightforward Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Monthly Notables August 2021

Sightings:

• Black-headed Gull (adult). Monmouth County, New Jersey. 05 August 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Valdez-Cordova County, Alaska. 06 August 2021.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Churchill & Manitoba County, Manitoba. 04 August 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Monterey County, California. 07 August 2021.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). New Haven County, Connecticut. 07 August 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Sitka, Alaska. 11 August 2021.
• Presumed graellsii. p1-p5 renewed, p6 half grown, p7 missing, p8-p10 old; mirror on p9 & p10.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 11 August 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Duval County, Florida. 13 August 2021.
• The same waif that has been on the Atlantic coast since August 2019. Now in 3rd basic plumage.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Meeker County, Minnesota. 14 August 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Harrison County, Georgia. 14 August 2021.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Washington County, Rhode Island. 14 August 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Cook County, Illinois. 17 August 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Banff County, Alberta. 17 August 2021.
• Thayer's Gull (2nd cycle). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 18 August 2021.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Cochrane County, Ontario. 19 August 2021.
• Laughing Gull (2 juveniles). Tompkins & Broome County, New York. 19 August 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Fairfax County, Virginia. 17 August 2021.
• 3rd county record.
• Laughing Gull (juvenile). Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. 22 August 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (2nd cycle type). Fremont County, Wyoming. 22 August 2021.
• Common Gull (2nd cycle). Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia. 23 August 2021.
• Nominate canus.
• Sabine's Gull (2nd cycle type). Fairfax County, Virginia. 25 August 2021.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Power County, Idaho. 26 August 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Power County, Idaho. 26 August 2021.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). La Haute-Cote-Nord County, Quebec. 26 August 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Anchorage County, Alaska. 26 August 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 28 August 2021.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Ketchikan Gateway County, Alaska. 29 August 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (adult type). Escambia County, Florida. 30 August 2021.

Monthly Notables July 2021

Sightings:

• Iceland Gull (2nd cycle). Monroe County, New York. 01 July 2021.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Monroe County, Michigan. 02 July 2021.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Monmouth County, New Jersey. 03 July 2021.
• Black-tailed Gull (adult type). Lake & Peninsula County, Alaska. 03 July 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Marin County, California. 05 July 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle). Sonoma County, California. 05 July 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle). Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. 06 July 2021.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle type - 2). Marinette County, Wisconsin. 06 July 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Muskingum County, Ohio. 08 July 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska. 10 July 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Keith County, Nebraska. 10 July 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Norfolk County, Ontario. 11 July 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (juvenile). Ketchikan Gateway County, Alaska. 16 July 2021.
• 5th for Ketchikan. 
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Lyon County, Nevada. 19 July 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Chittenden County, Vermont. 22 July 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (2nd cycle). Ocean County, New Jersey. 26 July 2021.
• Common Gull (adult). Cape Race, Newfoundland. 26 July 2021.
• Short-billed Gull (juvenile). Clatsop County, Oregon. 26 July 2021.
• Likely a new early "fall" arrival record for this age group.

Notes:

1. Ring-billed Gulls nested in Jackson County, Colorado this season. Nicholas Komar reported more than 40 half grown chicks on 03 July, 2021 at Walden Reservoir, marking the first confirmed breeding in the state since 1900.
2. 27 Lesser Black-backed Gulls reported by Peter Paul in Queens County, New York should be a high count for the county (07 July 2021). Summering Lessers are more common farther east on Long Island, such as in Nassau County. 
3. 13 Little Gulls were reported in a "colony" in Churchill, Manitoba by Ashley Westphal on 22 July 2021.
   
   

July 2021 Quiz

 

January. Washington.

Age: The pointed primary tips, neatly patterned wing coverts and tertials, and overall appearance suggest a 1st cycle gull. The warm mottling on the breast and underparts are also typical of a 1st cycle.

Identification: This appears to be a member of the white-headed gulls (as opposed to the smaller tern-like or hooded species). The bill is strikingly petite and "short". At first glance it would seem this is an Iceland Gull due to the pale primary edges, icy-gray post-juvenile scapulars and overall frosty appearance to the upperparts. But we'd be pressed to find a 1st cycle Iceland with this much solid gray on the back in January. This is a 1st cycle Short-billed Gull (L brachyrhynchus), formerly known as Mew Gull in North America. Individuals with this plumage aspect are sometimes described as "mini Thayer's", and overall the plumage patterns are similar. In the field -- which can't be appreciated here -- the diminutive size of this species would be quite obvious. 

Monthly Notables June 2021

 Sightings:

• Iceland Gull (2nd cycle type). Niagara County, New York. 01 June 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (5 - 2nd cycle types). Keith County, Nebraska. 01 June 2021.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 03 June 2021.
• Nome River mouth. A one-year old in 1st alternate plumage.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (adult type). Harney County, Oregon. 03 June 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Aleutians West County, Alaska. 03 June 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Monmouth County, New Jersey. 04 June 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Cape May County, New Jersey. 04 June 2021.
• 1st State Record continuing until at least this date.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 06 June 2021.
• Gambell Seawatch. A different one-year old than the Nome bird.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Inyo County, California. 07 June 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Imperial County, California. 08 June 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Anchorage County, Alaska. 09 June 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Cape May County, New Jersey. 09 June 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult type). Bruce County, Ontario. 09 June 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Comox-Stathcona District, British Columbia. 10 June 2021.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Nassau County, New York. 15 June 2021.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). San Juan County, Utah. 16 June 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Chatham County, Georgia. 18 June 2021.
• Back after a three month hiatus.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Sangamon County, Illinois. 19 June 2021.
• California Gull (4th cycle type). Erie County, Pennsylvania. 20 June 2021.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle/1st alternate). Becker County, Minnesota. 20 June 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Beaufort County, South Carolina: 21 June 2021.
• 1st STATE RECORD. The same waif that has made the Atlantic coast its home since August 2019.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (5 - 2nd/3rd cycle types). Portage la Prairie Area County, Manitoba. 23 June 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). North Slope County, Alaska. 24 June 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle). Los Angeles County, California. 26 June 2021.
• Sabine's Gull (2nd cycle type). Nueces County, Texas. 29 June 2021.

Notes:

1. The 62nd Supplement to the AOS Checklist now treats what was formerly Mew Gull in North America as a separate species from the Old World taxa. Short-billed Gull is the new name for Larus brachyrhynchus. With this split, the ABA Checklist will have a total of 31 gull species. 

2. "The" Heermann's Gull of Florida-fame, subsequently found in Georgia, then Virginia, then Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey, made its way back south to Georgia and then South Carolina this month. By my count, this bird has provided a total of 5 new "state firsts" in 2021, and counting. 

3. Coverage by several parties in the Aleutians yielded several Red-legged Kittiwake sightings this month. Up to 20 individuals were found between Aleutians East and Aleutians West County, Alaska throughout June, all presumably adult types. These are among the highest counts for the species this far south and east in some years. 

June 2021 Quiz

 

Florida. January.

Age: Whichever species this is, we can be sure it's a subadult based on the black centers to the secondaries and dark smudging on the underside of the primary coverts.

Identification: This is a hooded gull with thick white eye crescents and a relatively stout bill. The broad white trailing edge and dark wingtip readily eliminate smaller species such as Bonaparte's and Black-headed (so-called "masked gulls" which have mostly gray along the trailing edge of the secondaries).

 
The only expected hooded gulls in North America are Franklin's and Laughing. One may assume this is a Laughing Gull based on the time of year and location, but taking a closer look, we can make the case for Franklin's for the following reasons: The eye crescents are rather wide and the hood is sharply demarcated with a clean, white neck. And more importantly, the active molt in the primaries is expected in Franklin's at this time of year (note the 3 new innermost primaries). Franklin's undergoes two complete molts per annual cycle. During the northern winter, this species is typically found in South America where it undergoes a complete prealternate molt, replacing body and flight feathers at once. This individual appears to be doing just that, presumably via its 1st prealternate molt.

A few Franklin's Gulls can be found lingering in North America in the boreal winter, primarily in the far south. Those that winter north of the equator appear to average less extensive prealternate molts than their southern counterparts. Here is this individual with several Laughing Gulls. 

Franklin's Gull (center) typically shows a semi-hood if not sporting a complete hood. It averages a smaller body and bill than Laughing Gull. Note how the eye crescents "pop" on the darker head.

Monthly Notables May 2021

Sightings:

• Little Gull (1st cycle). Keweenaw County, Michigan. 01 May 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Johnson County, Iowa. 02 May 2021.
• Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Lewis and Clark County, Montana. 03 May 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). San Francisco County, California. 05 May 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Grays Harbor County, Washington. 06 May 2021.
• Kumlien's Gull (1st cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 08 May 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Norfolk County, Ontario. 08 May 2021.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult type). Central Kootenay District, B.C. 08 May 2021.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Warren County, Ohio. 10 May 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Alameda County, California. 11 May 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (3; 10 adults). Lincoln County, Oregon. 11 May 2021.
• Likely a high count for coastal Oregon.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Marin County, California. 11 May 2021.
• Kumlien's Gull (1st cycle). Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 11 May 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Virginia Beach County, Virginia. 11 May 2021.*
• 2nd State Record. P1 dropped and thus the 3rd prebasic molt has commenced.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Valdez-Cordova County, Alaska. 12 May 2021.
• Apparent 7th State Record.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Santa Cruz County, California. 13 May 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Durham County, Ontario. 13 May 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Dare County, North Carolina. 15 May 2021.
• Ivory Gull (adult). Nome County, Alaska. 20 May 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Kings County, California. 22 May 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Nome County, Alaska. 24 May 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Anchorage County, Alaska. 25 May 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Bristol County, Massachusetts. 27 May 2021. 
• 1ST STATE RECORD. 3rd generation p1 growing in, p2-p3 dropped.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Newport County, Rhode Island. 27 May 2021.
• 1ST STATE RECORD. Same individual from VA & MA.
• Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). San Diego County, California. 28 May 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska. 29 May 2021.
• 1st for Gustavus, Alaska.
• Ivory Gull (2nd cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 29 May 2021.
• Herrmann's Gull (3rd cycle). Cape May County, New Jersey. 30 May 2021.
• 1ST STATE RECORD. Same individual from VA, MA, RI. 
• 3rd generation p1 growing in, p2-p3 dropped.
• Black-headed Gull (2nd cycle). Cape May County, New Jersey. 30 May 2021.
• Continuing.

Notes:

* The Heermann's Gull that excited several Northeast Atlantic states this month yielded three 1st state records (MA, RI, NJ) and a 2nd state record (VA) all within 20 days. It is believed this is the same Heermann's first found in Palm Beach County, Florida as a juvenile in August 2019. Age, molt and plumage patterns work out perfectly, as well as its sporadic wanderings. This bird also produced a 1st state record in Georgia back in February-March of 2021. It was last seen in Volusia County, Florida on 23 March 2021 before being spotted in Virginia Beach this month. It's obvious this bird has a faulty compass and is likely to turn up anywhere!

May 2021 Quiz

 

Wisconsin. July. 

Age: Gull identification and aging go hand in hand, with the former often dependent on the latter. As we work on identifying a gull, we should be keen to place it in an age group based on plumage patterns. Age and plumage are discussed below.

Identification: The gray-backed birds on the left and right have slender pinkish-yellow bills with defined black rings. The spotted neck markings and finer streaking on the crown, as well darkish eyes safely relegate them to Ring-billed Gull (2nd cycles). Note the 1st generation outer primaries that are holding on (brown), which is expected at this time of year, with new incoming 2nd generation primaries growing in (black with white apical spots). These one-year old Ring-billeds are starting to show yellowish legs, but it is difficult to appreciate this field mark due to both lighting and a slight delay in bare part color maturation.  

The individual in the center is a black-backed species. It's relatively compact, but the solid dark brown upperparts, slender vent region behind the legs and parallel-edged dark bill all look great for Lesser Black-backed Gull. By direct comparison to the Ring-billeds, it is a notably small Lesser, likely a fm type. This too is a 2nd cycle, retaining old 1st generation primaries while molting the inner primaries.

It should be noted that these birds are undergoing their 2nd complete molt (known as the 2nd prebasic molt). Therefore, they are now 2nd cycle gulls.

Monthly Notables April 2021

 Sightings:

• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Saskatoon County, Saskatchewan. 01 April 2021.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 01 April 2021.
  
• California Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 06 April 2021.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (2nd cycle). Davis County, Utah. 06 April 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Ventura County, California. 07 April 2021.
• Vega Gull (adult). Santa Clara County, California. 08 April 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 10 April 2021.
• Less than 20 accepted records for the province*.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Seneca County, New York. 13 April 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Williams County, North Dakota. 13 April 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Utah County, Utah. 14 April 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Tompkins County, New York. 19 April 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Pierce County, Washington. 21 April 2021.
• California Gull (adult type). Brant County, Ontario. 22 April 2021.
• Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Ventura County, California. 24 April 2021.
• Western Gull (adult). Clark County, Nevada. 27 April 2021.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Jefferson County, Kansas. 28 April 2021.

Notes:

1. The adult Black-legged Kittiwake in Calgary is noteworthy for several reasons: 1) There are less than 20 accepted records for the province, 2) It is the longest staying kittiwake for Alberta (with most birds gone within a couple of hours, 3) It has been lingering at a pond at a landfill and has been seen picking through and eating waste (James Fox pers comm.). I don't know of any previous reports of kittiwakes feeding, or attempting to feed, at landfills. 
2. Nick Ramsey reported a putative Kelp x Herring hybrid from the Chandeleur Islands in St. Bernard Perish, Louisiana on 20 April 2021. Adult type. Upperparts intermediate, with a prominent bulbous-tipped bill, square p10 mirror and slight dusky wash on the primary coverts. In addition to this individual, another 3 suspected 1st/2nd cycle type hybrids may have been present, tending toward Herring. 

April 2021 Quiz

 

Washington. January.

Age: All of these individuals appear to be adults. Given the amount of head streaking and the time of year, it is safe to assume they're in basic plumage (as opposed to "alternate" plumage).

Identification:  We will ignore the farthest individual facing head on for the time being. This trio of yellow-legged species shows classic fieldmarks, and for the most part, identification is straightforward. Beginning with the palest individual -- the pale-eyed bird facing right -- we see a typical black ring around the bill tip and pale eye: Ring-billed Gull. Just in front of it is a dark-eyed bird with darker upperparts, slender bill tip with very light marks, and heavy smudging to the hindneck. The large p10 mirror (seen on the opposite wing just beyond the tail tip), and large boldly contrasting white tertial crescent make it a fairly standard Mew Gull. This species tends to show a proportionally larger eye on a smaller face. Farthest to the right, with straw-yellow legs is a larger birds with a dark eye, straight bill with signature black-to-red bill pattern near the tip. Everything about it suggests California Gull, with upperparts approximately the same as the Mew Gull. These 3 are our pale to medium gray yellow-legged white-headed gulls and should be learned well. Ring-billed and Mew are 3 cycle gulls, whereas California requires 4 cycles to acquire an adult-like plumage. 

Now, if you guessed Ring-billed for the farthest individual, then you guessed correctly. The upperparts do appear a smidgen paler than the California Gull and if the two were standing at the same angle this would be more noticeable. The wider breast and slightly longer leg appearance also "feels" better for Ring-billed over Mew. 

Monthly Notables March 2021

Sightings:

• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Chatham County, Georgia. 01 March 2021.
  Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Chautauqua County, New York. 01 March 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Halifax County, Nova Scotia. 01 March 2021.
• 3rd Province Record. 
• Mew Gull (2nd cycle type). Washoe County, Nevada. 02 March 2021.
• California Gull (subadult). Virginia Beach County, Virginia. 03 March 2021.
• Mew Gull (1st cycle). Kings County, New York. 04 March 2021.
• Continuing from previous month.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska.06 March 2021.
• Bonaparte's Gull (1st cycle). Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. 06 March 2021.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Marin County, California. 02 March 2021.
• Ross's Gull (adult). Bethel County, Alaska. 09 March 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 09 March 2021.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Union County, New Jersey. 10 March 2021.
• Ivory Gull (40 individuals). Northern Peninsula-St. Anthony County, NL. 11 March 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Canadian County, Oklahoma. 12 March 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kodiak Island County, Alaska. 13 March 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Barton County, Nebraska. 14 March 2021.
• California Gull (1st cycle). East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. 14 March 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 18 March 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Comox-Strathcona District, British Columbia. 18 March 2021.
• Little Gull (1st cycle & adult). Gibson County, Indiana. 20 March 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Larimer County, Colorado. 22 March 2021.
• Vega Gull (adult). Santa Clara County, California. 22 March 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (1st cycle). Comax, British Columbia. 22 March 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Saskatoon County, Saskatchewan. 25 March 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Ashland County, Wisconsin. 26 March 2021.
• California Gull (adult). New Haven County, Connecticut. 27 March 2021.

Notes:

1. Earlier this month, Chuck Slusarczyk Jr reported a banded Ring-billed Gull from Cleveland that he submitted to the Bird Banding Lab in January of 2021. The USGS BBL confirmed with him that this individual was banded as a flightless chick in Toronto on 18 June 1992, putting it at 28 years 9 months old. According to the BBL, this sets a new longevity record for the species (the previous being 27 years, 6 months). Band number: 0785-64995.

March 2021 Quiz

 

Washington. January.

Age: Adult.

Identification: The upperparts appear to be a medium gray, noticeably paler than Western Gull, but darker than Herring Gull. The upperside of the wingtip is short of being a true black, suggesting a hybrid between a species with a black wingtip and a paler wingtip. Glaucous-winged influence immediately comes to mind. The gray underside to the wingtip also suggests a four year hybrid. This is a large, thick-billed bird with dark eye and very smudgy head markings. Given the slightly darker gray upperparts, we can be confident this isn't a Herring x Glaucous-winged. Western x Glaucous-winged makes more sense and that's what it was identified as in the field. 

Another image below. The pinkish orbital ring and dark eye is typical of Glaucous-winged. The stocky, bulbous-tipped bill, smudgy head markings and medium gray upperparts are typical of this hybrid combination. Note the less than black primaries here.

Monthly Notables February 2021

 Sightings:

• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Toronto County, Ontario. 01 February 2021.
• Western Gull (adult). Davis County, Utah. 02 February 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Lake County, Illinois. 03 February 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Rankin County, Mississippi. 03 February 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 03 February 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Del Norte County, California. 05 February 2021.
• Mew Gull (adult). Suffolk County, New York. 06 February 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kodiak Island County, Alaska. 07 February 2021.
• Kumlien's Gull (1st cycle). Monroe County, Indiana. 08 February 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Alameda County, California. 11 February 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Benton County, Tennessee. 12 February 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 12 February 2021.
• Believed to be a returning bird.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Chatham County, Georgia. 15 February 2021.
• 1ST STATE RECORD. Believed to be "the" roaming FL bird.
• California Gull (adult type). Middlesex County, New Jersey. 15 February 2021.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 15 February 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Labrador-Happy Valley-Goose Bay County, NL.
• 3rd record for Labrador.
• California Gull (adult). Sarasota County, Florida. 20 February 2021.
• Believed to be a returning bird.
• Vega Gull (adult). Santa Clara County, California. 21 February 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). McHenry County, Illinois. 24 February 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Brevard County, Florida. 23 February 2021.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Nantucket County, Massachusetts. 25 February 2021.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Cook County, Illinois. 26 February 2021.

February 2021 Quiz

November. Peru.

 

Age: Plumage and bare parts all seem typical of an adult four-year gull. The bright bill and all-white head suggest a bird in alternate plumage in breeding condition. 

Identification: A black-backed species with yellow legs limits our choices to 3 species: Yellow-footed, Lesser Black-backed and Kelp Gull. There is very little contrast between the black wingtip and the black upperparts which hints at the darkest of black-backeds, Kelp Gull. The greenish-yellow legs (in contrast to the orange-yellow bill) also support Kelp over the other two species. The combination of broad wing with thick white trailing edge, decidedly small p10 mirror, clouded iris with apparent red orbital and strong bill all point to an adult Kelp Gull. Given the location, this makes perfect sense. 

Monthly Notables January 2021

 Sightings:

• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Kitsap County, Washington. 01 January 2021.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Seneca County, New York. 01 January 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Charles Mix County, South Dakota. 01 January 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Chambers County, Texas. 02 January 2021.
• Mew Gull (1st cycle). Taylor County, Texas. 03 January 2021.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Pope/Yell County, Arkansas. 03 January 2021.
• California Gull (adult). New Haven County, Connecticut. 03 January 2021.
• 3rd State Record.
• California Gull (adult). Sangamon County, Illinois. 03 January 2021.
• Taimyr Gull (adult). Pictou County, Nova Scotia. 04 January 2021.
• Presumed taimyrensis*. Unprecedented. Would be the 1st for the Atlantic.
• Black-headed Gull (2 adults). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 04 January 2021.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Monroe County, New York. 05 January 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, Ontario. 07 January 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Hughes County, South Dakota. 07 January 2021.
• Ivory Gull (6 adults). Nome County, Alaska. 07 January 2021.
• Little Gull (adult). Lake County, Tennessee. 08 January 2021. 
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Boulder County, Colorado. 09 January 2021.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Del Norte County, California. 12 January 2021.
• California Gull (1st cycle). East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. 12 January 2021.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 14 January 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (1st cycle). San Mateo County, California. 15 January 2021.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. 16 January 2021.
• Ross's Gull (2nd cycle type). New Haven County, Connecticut. 16 January 2021.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Lee County, Iowa. 18 January 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Simcoe County, Ontario. 18 January 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, New York. 19 January 2021.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Erie County, Pennsylvania. 22 January 2021.
• Western Gull (adult). Davis County, Utah. 23 January 2021.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Panola County, Mississippi. 23 January 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Clay County, Missouri. 24 January 2021.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Douglas County, Kansas. 24 January 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 24 January 2021.
• Presumably same individual since August 2019.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Tazwell County, Illinois. 24 January 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Marin County, California. 24 January 2021.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 26 January 2021.
• California Gull (adult). Lorain County, Ohio. 27 January 2021.
• Common Gull (1st cycle). Kings County, New York. 28 January 2021.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Lincoln County, Oregon. 30 January 2021.
• 3rd State Record.
• Mew Gull (2 adults). Hughes County, South Dakota. 31 January 2021.

Notes: 

1. Angela MacDonald found an adult type taimyrensis in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia on 04 January 2021. A darkish eye, fine streaking restricted to the lower hindneck and a sherbert-orange/yellow leg color support this taxon. Late primary molt is also in favor of this Asian form. P1-P7 new and fully grown, P8 80% grown, P9-P10 retained. P10 with medium to large mirror, P9 with small rounded mirror not reaching the outer web. Black on P7/P8 reaching p-coverts along the outer webs. Full, asymmetric subterminal band on P4, and black mark on outer web of P3 (on right wing). No white tongue tips on P6-P7, with very little slivers of white on inner webs of  P4-P5. The taxonomy on Taimyr Gull is unsettled. Some authorities treat it as a hybrid population between Heuglin's and Vega Gull, others place it with the Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A recently adopted position on this form is that it is a good taxon worthy of species rank.

January 2021 Quiz

 

Washington. January.

Age: There is no reason to suspect this isn't an adult. On the underwing, we'd be looking for black markings on the tail, hints of dark centers on the secondaries and darker wing linings -- none which are seen here.

Identification: This appears to be a "white-winged" species, lacking black on the underside of the outer wingtip. The ghostly gray remiges, darkerst on the outer 5-6 primaries suggest Glaucous-winged Gull or a Kumlien's type Iceland Gull. The proportions -- long and broad wing, long tail, barrel-chested body, thick neck, and above all, the stout, bulbous-tipped bill -- all support Glaucous-winged Gull. This Glaucous-winged Gull was photographed in the Olympic peninsula region, and is the expected white-winged large gull here.