December 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Yellow-footed Gull (3rd cycle/ad type). Clark County, Nevada. 01 December 2023.
• Continuing. Presumably a returning bird, from March 2022.
• Sabine's Gull (2 ad; 1st cycle). Lincoln County, Oregon. 02 December 2023.
• Gray Gull (3rd cycle). Walton County, Florida. 05 December 2023.
• 1st ABA-record individual back after a 20-day absence.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Okanagan-Similkameen District, British Columbia. 06 December 2023.
• 3rd Province Record. 
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Pueblo County, Colorado. 08 December 2023.
• Presumably the same individual, now back for the 30th winter! Yes, "thirty".
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Durham County, Ontario. 09 December
• Little Gull (adult). Los Angeles County, California. 10 December 2023.
• Last county sighting ~20 years ago. 
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Montgomery County, Maryland. 10 December 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). Randall County, Texas. 11 December 2023.
• 1ST STATE RECORD*.
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 12 December 2023.
• Continuing Atlantic Coast bird.
• Great Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle type). Ellsworth County, Kansas. 12 December 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 14 December 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Sunshine Coast District, British Columbia. 17 December 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Washoe County, Nevada. 21 December 2023.
• California Gull (adult). Lee County, Iowa. 21 December 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Contra Costa County, California. 21 December 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Middlesex County, Ontario. 22 December 2023.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Santa Cruz County, California. 25 December 2023.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 27 December 2023.
• Presumably a returning bird since at least 2019.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 26 December 2023.
• Continuing.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Santa Cruz County, California. 27 December 2023.
• 1st County Record.

Notes:

1. Janice Tidwell Allen reported a Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle) in Amarillo, Texas on 11 December 2023. This 1st state record was apparently present as early as 05 November 2023, but was overlooked and reported as a Herring Gull by some. This now constitutes the easternmost record for the species.

December 2023 Quiz

 

Age: A straight-forward 1st cycle large gull.

Identification: Our December Quiz is not trivial, especially out of context. Would it help if you knew it was photographed in England, in December? Of course!

The most noticeable feature on this individual is the pale tail base with whitish ground color. The fairly narrow tailband, thin horizontal barring on the post-juvenile scapulars, barred greater coverts and dark tips to the outer webs of the inner primaries all support European Herring Gull. Yellow-legged Gull averages darker inner primaries without this prominent window effect. Great Black-backed averages a more peppered blackish look to the upperparts, but variable. The smaller head and relatively thin bill also point away from Great Black-backed, which surprisingly, was the most popular response this month. 

A relevant question to ask is how would 1st cycle Vega Gull be ruled out? Out of range, it would present quite the challenge for even the most seasoned gull-watcher. That species averages more barring on the outer greater coverts, more intricately patterned proximal region to the tail band, more barring on the base of the outermost tail feather, and if visible, warmer brown underwing and underparts. Given the great variability in these 1st cycle taxa, it goes without saying that in North America, many won't be safely identified. 

November 2023 Quiz

 

March. Illinois.

Age: The marbled greater coverts, overall muted pattern to the upperparts, and rounded primary tips suggest a delayed 2nd cycle type. Our November bird is a four-cycle species, and the upper mantle shows some subtle, adult-like gray, which also points away from a 1st cycle.

Identification: The fairly straight and short bill, small rounded-head, low-contrast upperparts and brownish primaries with pale edging are all fairly typical of a 2nd cycle Thayer's Gull. For comparison, a 2nd cycle American Herring is in the background, showing a messier appearance with high contrast from the primaries to the tertials, and tertials to the wing coverts. Our November Quiz gull is a small, female type, Thayer's Gull. 

November 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle & adult). Imperial County, California. 01 November 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Baffin County, Nunavut. 04 November 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Cochrane County, Ontario. 04 November 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 04 November 2023.
  Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Clallam County, Washington. 04 November 2023.
• Presumably a returning adult, now back for a third winter.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Alameda County, California. 05 November 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 06 November 2023.
• Kumlien's Gull (adult). Central Okanagan District, British Columbia. 06 November 2023.
• Presumably a returning adult.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Nueces County, Texas. 07 November 2023.
• Ivory Gull (1st cycle). Rouyn-Noranda County, Quebec. 08 November 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 09 November 2023.
• Atlantic Coast bird repositioning. 
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Hughes County, South Dakota. 09 November 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle type). Los Angeles County, California. 10 November 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Horry County, South Carolina. 10 November 2023.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Renfrew County, Ontario. 11 November 2023.
• Continuing from October 2023. 
• Thayer's Gull (adult). Washington County, Rhode Island. 13 November 2023.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Yavapai County, Arizona. 13 November 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Calgary County, Alberta. 14 November 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle type). San Diego County, California. 17 November 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Los Angeles County, California. 20 November 2023.
• Little Gull (adult). Payne & Noble County, Oklahoma. 22/28 November 2023.
• Likely the same adult serving as a 1st County Record for both Payne & Noble.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (2nd cycle). Essex County, Ontario. 25 November 2023.
• Glaucous-winged type, showing fairly dark primaries and tertials.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Chatham County, North Carolina. 25 November 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Payne County, Oklahoma. 25 November 2023.
• Yellow-footed Gull (3rd cycle). Clark County, Nevada. 25 November 2023
• Continuing from last month. Presumably a returning bird, from March 2022.
• Gray Gull (3rd cycle type). Baldwin County, Alabama. 27 November 2023.
• 1ST STATE RECORD*. Same individual from Walton County, FL.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 28 November 2023.
• Returning adult with semipalmated feet, wintering here since at least 2016.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Pima County, Arizona. 28 November 2023.

View with Google Maps

Notes:

*The 1st ABA Gray Gull from Walton County, Florida was last seen on 15 November 2023, but was later spotted by Don Clark from the Dauphin Island-Fort Morgan Ferry in Baldwin County, Alabama on 27 November 2023. Attempts to relocate this Albama 1st State Record were unsuccessful. Interestingly, this individual performed a similar jaunt in late September where it was relocated 40-50 miles to the west in Pensacola Beach. It would behoove observers from the Walton County, Florida region to continue searching for the Gray Gull at Dune Allen Beach.

October 2023 Quiz

 

September. California. 

Age: The overall fresh patterned coverts, mottled head and body, black primaries and dark tail suggest a 1st cycle.

Identification: Given the location, Western, Herring and California Gull are in the running. Several features support California Gull, including the small head, fairly straight bill that is already almost completely pale in September, as well as the long wing projection. The extensive white areas to the greater coverts are unexpected in American Herring. Western Gull is ruled out by bill size and overall structure. Also note the plain post-juvenile scapulars, which are common in California Gull, but usually dark-centered in Western. 

The October Quiz bird is a relatively large (m?) 1st cycle California Gull. 

October 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Black-headed Gull (adult). Anchorage, Alaska. 03 October 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adults). Baffin County, Nunavut. 06 October 2023.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Otero County, New Mexico. 08 October 2023.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Rimouski-Neigette County, Quebec. 09 October 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Hughes County, South Dakota. 09 October 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Lethbridge County, Alberta. 10 October 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult type). Red Deer County, Alberta. 12 October 2023.
• Common Gull (adult). Humber District-Corner Brook County, NL. 12 October 2023.
• Thayer's Gull (adult). Pima County, Arizona. 13 October 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• GRAY GULL (3rd cycle type). Walton County, Florida. 18 October 2023.
• Continuing 1st ABA record, on and off all month, completing 3rd prebasic molt. 
• Yellow-footed Gull (3rd cycle). Clark County, Nevada. 20 October 2023.
• Presumably a returning bird, first detected in March 2022 as a 1st cycle.
• Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). Cape May County, New Jersey. 20 October 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Galveston County, Texas. 21 October 2023.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Decatur County, Kansas. 22 October 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Duval County, Florida. 22 October 2023.
• Present all month, now in 5th basic plumage. 
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle type). Pacific County, Washington. 22 October 2023.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Clinton County, Illinois. 23 October 2023.
• Little Gull (adult). North Battleford County, Saskatchewan. 24 October 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Union County, Oregon. 25 October 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Short-billed Gull (juvenile). Renfrew County, Ontario. 26 October 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Baffin County, Nunavut. 31 October 2023.

Notes:

• The Florida Gray Gull was reported throughout the month in Walton County, but it's obvious the bird moves to unknown locations at times where it goes unnoticed. Most secondaries are now replaced, revealing a rather broad white trailing edge consistent with 2nd/3rd basic feathers. Given the earlier images from June 2023, the most likely explanation is the bird is now in 3rd basic.  

• Nick Ramsey reports Chandeleur Gulls (presumed hybrid Kelp x Herrings from the Chandeleur Islands off the coast of Louisiana) were present on the islands on 30 October 2023. According to Donna Dittmann, this is a departure from years past where these hybrids would leave the area after breeding. 

• Lesser Black-backed Gull continues to expand its nonbreeding range in the interior. At Findlay Reservoir in Hancock County, Ohio, Edward Hicks recorded no less than 438 individuals, which is likely an undercount of birds arriving to roost at dusk. This serves as a new interior high count for North America, away from the Atlantic.
  
  The October 2023 eBird map shows an obvious incursion north, as far as southern Alberta (~ 4) and British Columbia, and as far west as Tillamook County, Oregon and Humboldt County, California on the Pacific. The number of singletons reported west of the Rockies is simply awesome. Finally, sightings from southern Baffin Island around Iqaluit have increased in the last 2-3 years, likely due to increased coverage.

September 2023 Quiz

 

Wisconsin. May. 

Age: Our quiz bird is in the center of the frame, in flight. The full tailband and dark ulnar bar across the upperwing suggest a 1st cycle. Given the month, it would be a one-year old, but it still hasn't begun its 2nd prebasic molt as all of the primaries are still intact. 

Identification: The trailing edge to the wing is important, and helps rule out Bonaparte's & Black-headed Gull. There is a trace of dusky pigment across the trailing edge of the outer secondaries and inner primaries, which rules out Black-legged Kittiwake. Given how bold and full the ulnar bar is (for a one-year old), the small bill and dusky cap, it is safe to say that the September Quiz bird is a Little Gull. The two-toned outer primaries (dark outer webs and paler inner webs) also support this ID. 1st cycle Little Gulls show pale wing linings, unlike older individuals which are marked boldly black. The even central tail feathers and full tail band rest any worries of a Ross's Gull. All the surrounding gulls are similar-aged Bonaparte's Gulls.

September 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Swallow-tailed Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 01 September 2023.
• Apparently, the same individual seen in Santa Barbara County in July 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Middlesex County, New Jersey. 02 September 2023.
• GRAY GULL (3rd cycle type). Walton County, Florida. 03 September 2023.
• 1ST CONFIRMED OCCURENCE IN THE ABA AREA.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). King/Kitsap County, Washington. 09 September 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Hamilton County, Ontario. 10 September 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). De Baca County, New Mexico. 13 September 2023.
• Apparent 1st County Record. At least 4 sightings throughout NM this month.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Flathead County, Montana. 13 September 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Anchorage Municipality, Alaska. 17 September 2023.
• Continuing adult completing prebasic molt. 
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Kings County, Prince Edward Island. 19 September 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 19 September 2023.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Humphreys County, Tennesse. 20 September 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Queens County, Prince Edward Island. 20 September 2023.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Kern County, California. 22 September 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 - 2nd cycles). Calgary County, Alberta. 23 September 2023.
• Glaucous Gull? (2nd cycle type). Cumberland County, New Jersey. 24 September 2023.
• Continuing individual showing ghosted pattern on outer primaries.
• California Gull (adult). Aitkin County, Minnesota. 25 September 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). St Louis County, Minnesota. 26 September 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska. 27 September 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 27 September 2023.
• Little Gull (adult). Keith County, Nebraska. 28 September 2023.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Pacific County, Washington. 29 September 2023.
• Continuing. 
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Duval County, Florida. 29 September 2023.
• Atlantic Coast Bird. Present all month, completing 5th prebasic. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (196 individuals). Matagorda County, Texas. 30 September 2023.
• Likely a high county locally.

Notes:

*A tattered 1st ABA Gray Gull was found in Walton County, Florida on 03 September 2023 by Adam Pickos. The bird was associating with Laughing Gulls in and around Dune Allen Beach and continued/s to be seen through mid-day, Wednesday, 20 September 2023. After rumors of local residents having seen the bird since at least late June/early July began to circulate, photos of presumably the same gull at nearby Camp Helen State Park were shared (Marvin Bojo Friel; 05 June 2023). June photos show an individual with thin white tips to the secondaries and a grayish-white head pattern. The best explanation for the June plumage is 2nd alternate (2nd cycles averages thinner white tips to the secondaries and browner upperparts and outer primaries than adults). Between early June and early September, the tips to the secondaries became so worn, presumably, such that most traces of white were erased, now giving the impression of an individual undergoing its 2nd prebasic molt, especially given its transformed basic head pattern. The June photos, coupled with new flight feathers growing in September suggest the bird was actually undergoing its 3rd prebasic molt (and hence a 3rd cycle). At the conclusion of its current prebasic molt, this individual should be virtually indistinguishable from an adult, and in fact would simply be labeled an adult. After going missing for a couple of days, it was relocated about 40 miles to the west in the Pensecola Beach region on both 24-25 September 2023. It then returned to its original location at Dune Allen Beach on 29-30 September 2023.

Relevant to this month's highlight, Liam Ragan found Mexico's 3rd Gray Gull (alternate adult) at the mouth of the San Isidro River in Oaxaca on 18 September 2023. Mexico's records are all very recent at two-year intervals, from 2019, 2021 and 2023, with the most recent sighting serving as the westernmost record. These recent sightings, including the 1st Galapagos record from July 2023, support the hypothesis that extralimital reports of Gray Gull correlate with strong El Nino years. 

August 2023 Monthly Notables

 Sightings:

• Black-headed Gull (2nd cycle). Kent County, Delaware. 02 August 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Bristol County, Massachusetts. 05 August 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. 10 August 2023.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 11 August 2023.
• Presumably returning individual since 2020.
• Heermann's Gull (1st cycle). Sitka City & Borough, Alaska. 10 August 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Clark County, Nevada. 11 August 2023.
• California Gull (juvenile). Wagoner County, Oklahoma. 14 August 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Anchorage, Alaska. 14 August 2023.
• Continuing. 
• Black-legged Kittiwake (apparent juvenile). Hamilton County, Ontario. 15 August 2023.
• Laughing Gull (juvenile). Lancaster County, Nebraska. 19 August 2023.
• Little Gull (2 - juveniles). Lake County, Indiana. 24 August 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Anne Arundel County, Maryland. 24 August 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Fairfax County, Virginia. 24 August 2023.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle type). Cumberland County, New Jersey. 25 August 2023.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Columbia-Shuswap District, British Columbia. 26 August 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Duval County, Florida. 26 August 2023.
• Atlantic Coast Bird.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Grays Harbor, Washington. 27 August 2023.
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Pacific County, Washington. 28 August 2023.

August 2023 Quiz

 

Oregon. January.

Age: Adult and 1st cycle.

Identification: Beginning with the adult, it has a strong, bright yellow bill. The head pattern is densely smudged, and the primaries are slate-black with distinctive pale underside to the far wing. Every thing about this bird is consistent with a hybrid Glaucous-winged x Western (so-called Olympic Gull). The primaries are too pale for Western, but too dark for Glaucous-winged. The 1st cycle, similarly, has features intermediate between both species, and was identified as a hybrid.

July 2023 Quiz

 

July. Illinois.

Age: The well-patterned upperparts and pointed primary tips suggest a straightforward juvenile (1st basic plumage).

Identification: Surprisingly, a number of answers this month went with California Gull, which is a very fair guess. It's doubtful that California Gull can show this much white on the primary tips, although juvenile Ring-billeds regularly do. It's difficult to appreciate size in this single still, especially with no other birds in the frame. But this was a fairly small individual feeding around other small Ring-billeds. Given the location and time of year, juvenile Ring-billed it is.

July 2023 Monthly Notables

 Sightings:

• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Carteret County, North Carolina. 01 July 2023.
• Atlantic Coast Bird
• Black-legged Kittiwake (13 - mostly 2nd cycles). Grays Harbor County, Washington. 01 July 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Avalon Peninsula - St John's County, NL. 03 July 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Mobile County, Alabama. 03 July 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Brown County, South Dakota. 05 July 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult type). San Mateo County, California. 07 July 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult type). Canyon County, Idaho. 07 July 2023. 
• Iceland Gull (2nd cycle kumlieni type). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 13 July 2023.
• Western Gull (adult). Park County, Colorado. 14 July 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 15 July 2023.
• Continuing 1st County Record.
• Little Gull (21; ~ 75% adult). Norfolk County, Ontario. 17 July 2023.
• Glaucous Gull (2nd cycle). Kent County, Delaware. 19 July 2023.
• Swallow-tailed Gull (adult). Santa Barbara County, California. 19 July 2023.
• 5th State Record.
• Yellow-footed Gull (3rd cycle). Clark County, Nevada. 22 July 2023.
• Presumably returning/continuing individual found here in March 2022 as a 1st cycle.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Ward County, North Dakota. 22 July 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). North Slope Borough, Alaska. 23 July 2023.
• Possibly a second bird present in this general vicinity (Prudhoe Bay).
• Red-legged Kittiwake (adult). North Slope Borough, Alaska. 24 July 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 25 July 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Juneau City & Borough, Alaska. 27 July 2023.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Pacific County, Washington. 28 July 2023.
• Continuing. 
• Laughing Gull (adult). Simcoe County, Ontario. 29 July 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Anchorage Municipality, Alaska. 29 July 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle). Duval County, Florida. 31 July 2023.
• Atlantic Coast Bird. 

June 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Black-headed Gull (adult). Knox County, Maine. 02 June 2023.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Nunatsiavut-Nain County, Newfoundland. 04 June 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Niagara County, New York. 04 June 2023.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Douglas County, Wisconsin. 04 June 2023.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). St. Louis County, Minnesota. 04 June 2023.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Gambell, Alaska. 04 June 2023.
• Iceland Gull (1st cycle). Norfolk County, Virginia. 05 June 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Le Rocher-Perce County, Quebec. 05 June 2023.
• Ross's Gull (adult). St. Louis County, Minnesota. 06 June 2023.
• Continued from late May 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (1st alternate). Westmorland County, New Brunswick. 07 June 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. 09 June 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Churchill and Northern Manitoba County, Manitoba. 10 June 2023.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Hughes County, South Dakota. 10 June 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Cass County, Minnesota. 14 June 2023.
• California Gull (3rd cycle type). Stearns County, Minnesota. 17 June 2023.
• Same individual in Beltrami County, MN on 21 June 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Ada County, Idaho. 18 June 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Kent County, Delaware. 21 June 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 23 June 2023.
• 1st County Record. 

Notes:

1. The Heermann's Gull from Cuyahoga County, Ohio was missing p1 on 23 June 2023, indicating the start of the 3rd prebasic molt (and hence in its 3rd molt cycle). By 30 June 2023, it showed dropped p1-p2. It appears to be the same individual from Lorain County (April 2023), which was a late 2nd cycle then. 

2. A report of 7 Short-billed Gulls from Gambell (seawatch) on 06 June 2023 is noteworthy. 

3. A survey in early June from Breton NWR turned up at least 4-5 Chandeleur Gulls (Kelp x Herring hybrids). St Bernard Parish, Lousiana. See here for photos. Where these hybrids reside in the nonbreeding season is unknown.

June 2023 Quiz

 

Indiana. March.

Age & Identification: 

From what can be seen on the inner primaries and outer secondary feathers, it does not appear these flight feathers are adult-like (i.e., solid gray/black centers with broad white tips). However, p10 has an obvious mirror on what appears to be a large, white-bodied bird with narrow tailband and minimally marked undertail coverts. Based on these features, along with the thick bill, blocky head and broad wing, we can conclude this must be a 2nd cycle Great Black-backed Gull.

May 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Black-tailed Gull (adult type). Capital District, British Columbia. 02 May 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Sunbury County, New Brunswick. 02 May 2023.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Tarrant County, Texas. 02 May 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (7 adults). Washington County, New York. 03 May 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Erie County, Pennsylvania. 05 May 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (8: 7 ad., 1st cycle). Litchfield County, Connecticut. 08 May 2023.
• Unprecedented inland record.
• Little Gull (adult). Lucas County, Ohio. 09 May 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Essex County, Ontario. 09 May 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (4th cycle). Dare County, North Carolina. 09-22 May 2023.
• Atlantic Coast bird.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Mohave County, Arizona. 12 May 2023.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 13 May 2023.
• Continuing from April 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Toronto County, Ontario. 13 May 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Aleutians West County, Alaska. 13 May 2023.
• St. Paul Island.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). El Paso County, Colorado. 14 May 2023.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Grays Harbor County, Washington. 17 May 2023.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Pacific County, Washington. 18 May 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle type). Wayne County, New York. 19 May 2023.
• 1st State Record. Same individual found in Lorain, Ohio; April 2023.
• Laughing Gull (adult). Clatsop County, Oregon. 25 May 2023.
• Same individual found in Grays Harbor County, WA.
• Black-tailed Gull (adult). Yakutat County, Alaska. 29 May 2023.
• Ross's Gull (adult). Douglas County, Wisconsin. 31 May 2023.
• 3rd State Record.
• Ross's Gull (adult). St. Louis County, Minnesota. 31 May 2023.
• 5th State Record. Same individual from Douglas County, WI.

Notes: 

1. New York got its 1st state record Heermann's Gull on 19 May 2023. A 2nd cycle individual was found in Wayne County by Jay McGowan. Plumage and time sequence suggest it's the same individual found in Lorain, Ohio in late April 2023, and in all likelihood the Baltimore, Maryland bird.

2. An incursion of inland kittiwakes took place this month, dotting several states throughout the northeast. Most noteworthy were sightings in New York and Connecticut (7 and 8 individuals, respectively). The majority of these individuals were adults flocking together, suggesting they were blown inland during migration.

3. To close out the month, Peder Svingen found an adult Ross's Gull off Wisconsin Point on Lake Superior. The bird drifted into Minnesota waters making it a wonderful two-fer. This sighting bolsters a precedence for Ross's Gulls found inland in May/early June. 

May 2023 Quiz

 

December. Michigan.

Age: The mottled brown aspect with pointed primary tips suggest a straightforward 1st cycle of a large four-year species. Almost all of the scapulars are post-juvenile feathers. As a side note, several inner wing coverts have been replaced which typically isn't expected in the 1st prealternate molt of this species.

Identification: The diffuse bill pattern, smudged neck and sides, and apparent dark tail seem fairly typical of American Herring. The secondary coverts, especially the greater coverts, seem more neatly barred than usual for smithsonianus, but not out of range. Our December bird, banded as a rehab hatch year, is indeed a 1st cycle American Herring Gull. The link below gives some life history on this individual, including an open wing photo:

Anything Larus: A Good Story: Rescued 1st Cycle Herring Resighted

April 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Glaucous-winged Gull (1st cycle). Calgary County, Alberta. 01 April 2023.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (3rd cycle). Bruce County, Ontario. 01 April 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Baltimore County, Maryland. 03 April 2023.
• California Gull (adult). Talbot County, Maryland. 05 April 2023.
• Western Gull (adult). Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. 07 April 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). King County, Washington. 07 April 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Norfolk County, Ontario. 07 April 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). New Castle County, Delaware. 07 April 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Chautauqua County, New York. 08 April 2023.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Graham County, Arizona. 08 April 2023.
• Glaucous Gull (adult type). Galveston County, Texas. 09 April 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. 09 April 2023.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. 18 April 2023.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (3rd cycle). Fort McMurray, Alberta. 20 April 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Bristol County, Massachusetts. 22 April 2023.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Lake County, Illinois. 22 April 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Worcester County, Massachusetts. 23 April 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Cameron Parish, Louisiana. 24 April 2023.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Tarrant County, Texas. 25 April 2023.
• California Gull (1st cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 26 April 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. 26 April 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 26 April 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (3rd cycle). Mendocino County, California. 27 April 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Lorain County, Ohio. 29 April 2023.
• 2nd State Record. Possibly the 2nd cycle individual from Baltimore County, Maryland.

April 2023 Quiz

 

September. Michigan.

Age: Pointed primary tips, barred upper tail coverts and an overall uniform dark brownish-black plumage points to a 1st cycle large gull.

Identification: There are several important features to hone in on when looking at an open wing of a 1st cycle large gull: The inner primary pattern, the tail pattern and the greater coverts. Here we see dark inner primaries with very little contrast (as found in California Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull). The dark tail is found in a number of species, but note the uppertail coverts have a noticeable white base color (not brownish). The outer greater coverts are largely dark, and the upperparts have prominent pale edging. All of these features, when combined, are consistent with the aforementioned, juvenile California and Lesser Black-backed Gull, and this image alone would likely yield and inconclusive identification without more context. Here is the perched bird next to 1st cycle American Herring Gull. 

Given the location, plain and dark tertials with prominent pale edging, and all black bill, it is quite evident this is a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull.

March 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). San Juan County, New Mexico. 04 March 2023.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (adult type). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 05 March 2023.
• 2nd State Record*. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Clark County, Washington. 06 March 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 06 March 2023.
• Continuing from Feb 2023. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (2nd cycle). San Mateo County, California. 06 March 2023.
• No longer a state review species, but age noteworthy.
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle x 2). Hancock County, Mississippi. 08 March 2023.
• Review List Species in MS.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 09 March 2023.
• Different than the returning adult from last month.
• Common Gull (adult). Lorain County, Ohio. 11 March 2023.
• An intermediate bird, pssb. 2nd State Record.
• Yellow-footed Gull (adult). Monterey County, California. 11 March 2023.
• 1st County Record. Likely the Santa Cruz Co. bird from Dec 2022.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Cook County, Illinois. 11 March 2023.
  
• 3rd State Record, all from Cook County.
• Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Lake County, Indiana. 11 March 2023.
• 2nd State Record. Same individual from Illinois. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kent County, Michigan. 11 March 2023.
• Little Gull (adult). Marion County, Indiana. 13 March 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 15 March 2023.
• Little Gull (adult). Knox County, Tennessee. 15 March 2023.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Pacific County, Washington. 18 March 2023.
• 10th State Record.
• Common Gull (2 adults). Windham County, Connecticut. 19 March 2023.
• The continuing bird from January joined by a second adult.
• Kumlien's Gull (adult). Sitka County, Alaska.20 March 2023.
• Sabine's Gull (6 adults). San Diego County, California. 21 March 2023.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Chatham County, North Carolina. 21 March 2023.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (200*). Chatham County, North Carolina. 21 March 2023.
• Little Gull (adult). Shelby County, Tennessee. 21 March 2023.
• 2nd County Record.
• Sabine's Gull (adult type). Tom Green County, Texas. 27 March 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (4th cycle). Virginia Beach, Virginia. 28 March 2023.
• Presumed Atlantic coast bird, drifting north this month. 
• California Gull (adult). Talbot County, Maryland. 28 March 2023.
• Thayer's Gull (adult). Cameron Parish, Louisiana. 29 March 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Baltimore County, Maryland. 30 March 2023.
• Now in 2nd alternate, appearing much more like a 3rd cycle.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult - 2). Labrador-Happy V-G Bay County, NL. 31 March 2023.
• 1st March Record for Labrador. 
• Glaucous-winged Gull (2nd cycle). Bronx County, New York. 31 March 2023.
• Would be 1st STATE RECORD. 

Notes:

• Amazingly, only 2 months after the 1st State Record Glaucous-winged Gull was found in Ohio, Anthony Rodgers found another, this time an adult, less than a half mile away from his first find.
• A mixed flock of 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Chatham County, North Carolina is noteworthy. Trenton Voytko reported ~85% adults, inland at Jordan Lake SRA.

March 2023 Quiz

 

California. January.

Age: Juvenile-like flight feathers (especially the primaries) with overall brown aspect and black bill suggest 1st cycle.

Identification: This large chocolaty 1st cycle shows a swollen bill tip (bulbous-tipped), smooth brown pattern on the body, deep keel and broad wings. American Herring and Western Gull come to mind, and given the bill structure, relatively small eye placed high on a large face, and dark inner primaries, there is much going for Western. Note the distinct white trailing edge to the secondaries. This is regularly found in Western Gull, and not expected in American Herring. The broad line of pale notching along the greater covert tips also supports Western Gull, which this is. 

February 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Vega Gull (2nd cycle). Clatsop County, Oregon. 02 February 2023.
• A remarkable sighting as most records outside of Alaska pertain to adults.
• California Gull (adult). Benton County, Tennessee. 02 Feb 2023
• Presumably a returning bird from Feb 2021.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Faulkner County, Arkansas. 03 Feb 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Travis County, Texas. 07 Feb 2023
• 1st County Record.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Dona Ana County, Arizona. 08 February 2023.
• Common Gull (adult). Essex County, New York. 09 February 2023.
• California Gull (1st cycle). St. Lucie County, Florida. 09 February 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (4th alternate). Volusia County, Florida. 09 February 2023.
• The Atlantic coast bird, moving between Florida and North Carolina this month.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. 10 February 2023.
• Continuing 1st State Record from last month.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts.10 February 2023.
• Common Gull (adult). Niagara County, New York. 12 February 2023.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Franklin County, Indiana. 12 February 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Santa Cruz County, California. 13 February 2023.
• A pale-winged individual.
• California Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 17 February 2023.
• California Gull (adult). Santa Rosa County, Florida. 17 February 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 19 February 2023.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Bent County, Colorado. 20 February 2023.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Franklin County, Washington. 20 February 2023.
• Returning adult continuing between Franklin & Benton. 
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 23 February 2023.
• Returning adult since at least Feb 2021. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 24 February 2023.
• 4th State Record. A different individual than the 3rd State Record in January 2023.
• Heermann's Gull (4th alternate). Brunswick County, North Carolina. 25 February 2023.
• The Atlantic coast bird, moving between Florida and North Carolina this month.
• California Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 25 February 2023.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Berrien County, Michigan. 25 February 2023.
• Last county record 01 Jan 1993!
• Common Gull (adult). Bristol County, Rhode Island. 26 February 2023.
• Continuing 3rd State Record from last month.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 26 February 2023.
• Continuing from last month.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Baltimore County, Maryland. 27 February 2023.
• Continuing 1st State record bird from March 2022.
• Common Gull (adult). Tolland & Windham County, Connecticut. 27 February 2023.
• Continuing 1st County record between Tolland and Windham. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (subadult). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 28 February 2023.

Notes:

1.    Lesser Black-backed Gull numbers in the Kennessee and Ohio River Valley region continue to increase annually while numbers on the western Great Lakes appear to have decreased in recent winters. Noteworthy are reports of over 40 individuals from Benton County, Tennessee this month.

 

2.    California had no less than 10 reports of Lesser Black-backed this month, with roughly half of these coming from Monterey County and points north.

 

3. The Fairfield County, CT Kamchatka Gull and Bristol County, RI Common Gull went missing for most of the month, suggesting an observer bias, or these birds may in fact cover a rather large winter-feeding area. 

February 2023 Quiz

 

Oregon. January.

Age: The rather plain wing coverts and tertials, and adult-like gray scapulars suggest a 2nd cycle individual of a large, four-cycle species.

Identification: The blob-tipped bill and smudgy head immediately evoke thoughts of Glaucous-winged Gull and Western Gull. Overall the wing coverts and primaries seem a tad too dark for Glaucous-winged, and too pale for Western (especially the pale-edged primaries, for example). Given the location, it is reasonable to assign this individual to the Olympic Gull hybrid swarm. 

Several responses this month insisted on "pure" Glaucous-winged, reinforcing the subjectivity of identifying this species. Although it may be one, the primaries appear too dark to comfortably dismiss a hybrid. 

January 2023 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Glaucous-winged Gull (3rd cycle). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 01 January 2023.
• 1ST STATE RECORD.
• Common Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 02 January 2023.
• Continuing 1st State Record from December 2022. Intermediate henei/kamtschatschensis. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 05 January 2023.
• 3rd State Record. Apparently one of the adults from Muskegon, MI from November 2022.
• Heermann's Gull (4th cycle). Charleston County, South Carolina. 05 January 2023.
• Atlantic coast bird now in 4th alternate.
• Common Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 07 January 2023.
• Returning adult banded as pullus in Iceland, June 2013 (10th cycle now).
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Clinton County, New York. 11 January 2023.
• 1st County Record.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (1st cycle). Pueblo County, Colorado. 12 January 2023.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 14 January 2023.
• Presumably a returning adult since at least 2021.
• Heermann's Gull (4th cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 14 January 2023.
• Atlantic coast bird now in 4th alternate.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. 16 January 2023.
• Common Gull (adult). Tolland County, Connecticut. 17 January 2023.
• 1st County Record. Nominate canus.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 18 January 2023.
• Common Gull (adult). Bristol County, Rhode Island. 18 January 2023.
• 3rd State Record.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). New York County, New York. 19 January 2023.
• Continuing 1st county record bird from December 2022.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 20 January 2023.
• Returning adult. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. 21 January 2023.
• 1ST STATE RECORD.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 25 January 2023.
• Presumably a returning adult. 
• Common Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 28 January 2023.
• An unbanded individual observed independently of the 07 January bird.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Baltimore County, Maryland. 29 January 2023.
• Continuing, 1st state record bird from March 2022.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 30 January 2023.
• Apparently the New York County bird, seen with "the" Kamchatka Gull.

Notes: 

• As of January 2023, Slaty-backed Gull is no longer a review species in California. Its removal from the review list also includes 1st cycles. 

January 2023 Quiz

Florida. January.

Age:  A multi-bird quiz. Let's call these front, center and back. The center bird (facing right) seems to be the simplest -- an adult type hooded gull. The front bird is a smaller individual, but a member of the large white-headed gulls and should be a 1st cycle. The bird in the back is also a large white-headed gull, but clearly larger and suggests 2nd cycle. Why are these two white-headed gulls one cycle apart, given that they look somewhat similar? Three-cycle species mature faster, of course. Another way to say this is four-cycle species mature slowly.

Identification: Beginning with the center gull, the somewhat long and droopy black bill, medium gray upperparts, and much black in the wingtip, look spot on for Laughing. The smaller individual in the front has a small bill with pink base. The post-juvenile scapulars (1st alternate) are light gray. The size, in comparison to the Laughing Gull makes this a fairly safe 1st cycle Ring-billed. Ring-billeds often have messier wing coverts at this age, especially this late in the season, but some maintain plain coverts and dark tertials. The 2nd cycle in the back has kept much black on the bill and has obvious slate gray scapulars (2nd alternate). The body size and bill size seem to eliminate Great Black-backed. The only other expected dark-backed (so-called black-backed) species in Florida is Lesser Black-backed, which this is. 2nd cycle Lesser Black-backeds are highly variable. This one looks rather docile and still shows a largely dark eye. 

December 2022 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• California Gull (adult). Jefferson County, Wisconsin. 01 December 2022.
• California Gull (adult). Butler County, Pennsylvania. 03 December 2022.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Clark County, Nevada. 03 December 2022. 
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Coffey County, Kansas. 03 December 2022.
• Kumlien's Gull (adult). Benton County, Oregon. 04 December 2022.
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Humboldt County, California. 04 December 2022.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Dane County, Wisconsin. 05 December 2022.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Franklin County, Washington. 06 December 2022.
• Thayer's Gull (2nd cycle). Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. 09 December 2022.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Eddy County, New Mexico. 09 December 2022.
• Vega Gull (adult). Wayne County, Michigan. 10 December 2022.
• 1ST STATE RECORD, pending acceptance.
• P10 large mirror, P9 no mirror, moderate tongue tips P5-P7. Small mark on outer web of P4.
• P9-P10 retained, P8 dropped, P7 80% grown. A few outer and inner secondaries growing. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 11 December 2022.
• 3rd County Record. 
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Palm Beach County, Florida. 13 December 2022.
• California Gull (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 13 December 2022.
• Little Gull (adult). Lake County, Tennessee. 16 December 2022.
• Ivory Gull (1st cycle). Llyodminister County, Saskatchewan. 16 December 2022.
• 3rd Provincial Record. 
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Yell County, Arkansas. 16 December 2022.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Contra Costa County, California. 16 December 2022.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Payne County, Oklahoma. 17 December 2022.
• Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 17 December 2022.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Lincoln County, Oregon. 18 December 2022.
• Yellow-footed Gull (adult). Santa Cruz County, California. 17 December 2022.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (4 - 2 ad./2 juves). Grant County, Wisconsin.18 December 2022.
• Apparent Mississippi River high count.
• Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Baltimore County, Baltimore. 18 December 2022.
• Continuing. 
• California Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 19 December 2022.
• California Gull (adult). Seneca County, New York. 21 December 2022.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). New York County, New York. 23 December 2022.
• 1st County Record.
• Heermann's Gull (4th cycle). Volusia County, Florida. 23 December 2022.
• Atlantic Coast bird, now undergoing 4th prealternate molt (white head).
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle). Washington County, Rhode Island. 24 December 2022.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Wayne County, Michigan. 26 December 2022.
• Kumlien's Gull (1st cycle). Santa Clara County, California. 26 December 2022.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Yell County, Arkansas. 29 December 2022.
• Common Gull (adult)*. Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 30 December 2022.
• 1ST STATE RECORD, pending acceptance.

Notes: 

1. On 10 December 2022, Andy Dettling found an adult Vega Gull in Wayne County, Michigan. This individual displayed all the field marks needed for this taxon, and would constitute a state first pending acceptance. Vega Gull is treated as a subspecies of Herring Gull by the AOS, but many bodies have now elevated it to species status.

 2. On 30 December 2022. Todd Eiben found an adult Common Gull in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This individual shows intermediate features that are most consistent with Kamchatka Gull (L canus kamtschatschensis), albeit on the smaller end of the curve. The wingtip pattern is most interesting with a mix of features that combine canus, heinei and kamtschatschensis. It is doubtful that this bird will be confidently identified to subspecies.