December 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• California Gull (2nd cycle). Butler County, Pennsylvania. 01 December 2024.
• California Gull (adult). Wayne County, Michigan. 03 December 2024.
• Yellow-footed Gull (adult). Clark County, Nevada. 03 December 2024.
• Continuing since September. Presumably a returning bird since March 2022.
• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Lewis & Clark County, Montana. 09 December 2024.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Kawartha County, Ontario. 13 December 2024.
• Swallow-tailed Gull (adult). Sonoma County, California. 13 December 2024.
• Interestingly, this is the same site of the October 2017 Swallow-tailed Gull sighting, suggesting a likelihood of a returning individual.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Francisco County, California. 13 December 2024.
• p9 fully grown, p10 ~80% grown. 
• Vega Gull (adult). Elkhart County, Indiana. 19 December 2024.
• Putative. p1-p7 fully grown, p8 ~60% grown, p9-p10 retained. 
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Marion County, Florida. 20 December 2024.
• 1st County Record.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (adult). Bernalillo County, New Mexico. 21 December 2024.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Muskegon County, Michigan. 23 December 2024.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 23 December 2024.
• Returning winter bird (Maybelline) since at least 2021.
• Kelp Gull (1st cycle). Nueces County, Texas. 26 December 2024.
• 7th State Record.
• 1st Nueces County Record. 
• 1st Kleberg County Record as of 27 December 2024
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 27 December 2024.
• Returning winter bird since at least 2019.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Nantucket County, Massachusetts. 29 December 2024.
• Returning winter bird since at least 2013.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). La Riviere-du-Nord County Quebec. 29 December 2024.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (ad, 2 3rd cycle types, 1st cycle). Tulare County, California. 30 December 2024.

Notes:

1. The Sonoma County, California Taimyr Gull has returned to Petaluma, reported by Noah Arthur on 07 December 2024. This bird has presumably returned for at least 8 consecutive years.  
   
   
2. The Nueces County, Texas Kelp Gull, found by Andrew Orgill, is now only the second time a "1st cycle" Kelp has been recorded in the ABA Area, with the previous individual coming from Brazoria County, in similar conditions, ~150 miles to the north on 19 December 2008. The Nueces County individual has become the most thoroughly documented 1st cycle Kelp in the ABA Area, working a long stretch of beach where it is feeding on fish, and interestingly, not known to be visiting any landfills. It shows a fairly moderate 1st prealternate molt, such that it resembles some birds of Peruvian origin. Most tail feathers have been replaced (right r5-r6 & left r6 retained), as well as its tertials and perhaps 1-2 inner secondaries have been renewed (1st alternate). See Adriaens et al. 2023. for relevant reading. On 27 December 2024, the bird moved slightly south into Kleberg County, furnishing a first county record here as well.
   
   
3. This month, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls with satellite transmitters were found at different locations in the Eastern United States. Red AS was found in Bucks County, PA on 14 December 2024 (banded as a 3rd cycle on Nantucket in February 2023), and Red BZ was found in Horry County, SC on 28 December 2024 (banded recently as a 2nd cycle on Nantucket on 10 December 2024). Both of these birds, found in landfills, are part of a long-term project managed by Dr. Richard Veit, which aims to study the movements of the species in North America. Incidentally, Red AS has been to Greenland and back, and as far south as Cape Hatteras. 
   
   
4. The long-staying Atlantic coast Heermann's Gull appears to have fallen off of the radar. Last seen in Dare County, NC on 03 October 2024. This bird was first recorded in August 2019 as an early 1st cycle, through its 5th cycle.

December 2024 Monthly Quiz

 

Illinois. February.

Age: This appears to be a 1st cycle large gull, based on the mottled grayish-brown upperparts with extensive patterning, black bill and consistently patterned uppertail coverts.

Identification: With so many similar-looking large gulls in 1st cycle, where does one begin? Importantly, the outer primaries have a distinct two-toned appearance, often described as a venetian blind pattern. The plumage is fairly uniform, grayish-brown, and not very contrasty (as we find in California and Herring Gull). The warmer brown tones to the flight feathers, including the tail feathers, fairly straight bill -- and of course location -- all point to a 1st cycle Thayer's Gull (Larus glaucoides thayeri), which is what our December 2024 Quiz bird is.

November 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Common Gull (adult). Knox County, Maine. 01 November 2024.
• Found the previous day, an individual with a blue field-readable band 74J. Same as bird found in MA in 2018.
• Common Gull (adult). Knox County, Maine. 02 November 2024.
• An unbanded individual, showing some henei characteristics. 
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (4th cycle type). Lincoln County, Oregon. 01 November 2024. 
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 02 November 2024.
• Returning for an 8th consecutive year.
• Slaty-backed Gull (4th cycle type). Santa Cruz County, California. 04 November 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Wake County, North Carolina. 09 November 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry County, Ontario. 15 November 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Oneida County, New York. 17 November 2024.
• Ross's Gull (5). Gambell. St. Lawrence Island, AK. 17 November 2024.
• Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Pueblo County, Colorado. 19 November 2024.
• Murray, presumably the same adult that winters here, back for a 31st year!
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Onondaga County, New York. 22 November 2024.
• Likely the same adult from Oneida County.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Lake County, Ohio. 23 November 2024.
• Ivory Gull (5 adults & juvenile). Baffin County, Nunavut. 24 November 2024.
• Little Gull (adult). Capital District, British Columbia. 26 November 2024.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Cuyahoga County, Ohio. 29 November 2024.
• The age is noteworthy here.

Notes:

1. As expected, the floodgates for Vega Gull reports have been open. Two 1st cycles from California (found here and here) and a 1st cycle in Oklahoma hold promise. 
2. The Slaty-backed Gull from Benton County, Washington returns for an 8th year. Thanks to Ian Paulsen for noting that this may be a North American record of a known SBAG that has returned to the same site for this many years.
3. The putative Black-headed x Ring-billed hybrid (adult) that has been seen for a number of years around Cumberland County, Maine was reported on 02 November 2024. 
4. A new apparent high count for the state, 635 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were counted in Hancock County, Ohio at Findlay Reservoirs.  
5. A higher-than-average number of sightings of late Sabine's Gulls was recorded throughout the lower 48 this month.

November 2024 Monthly Quiz

 

October. California

Age: This is a large white-headed gull. The rounded primary tips, adult-like gray on the back, and white uppertail coverts indicate it is not a 1st cycle. The flight feathers don't appear adult-like with broad white tips, thus we can be confident in aging it as a 2nd cycle.

Identification: The scapular feathers are fairly dark, suggesting a black-backed species. The broad wing and apparent thick bill with noticeable expansion at the tip are typical of Western Gull. Given the location and time of year, California Gull should be eliminated, which it is by bill pattern and overall structure. The hand appears short, recalling Slaty-backed Gull, but this may be a consequence of how the bird is holding its wing. 2nd cycle Slaty-backed Gull doesn't typically show a smudged head pattern like this, and its outer primaries are often paler with a two-toned venetian blinds pattern.

Our October Quiz bird is indeed a 2nd cycle Western Gull.

, but also by the broad wing. California Gull should have a sharply demarcated bill tip and a narrower wing that appears  

October 2024 Monthly Quiz

 

California. September.

Age: A big brown job showing a mostly black bill, extensive pale edging to the wing coverts and tertials, and importantly, juvenile scapulars. Thus, this individual is a juvenile proper in its "1st basic plumage". Note that juvenile plumage is synonymous with 1st basic plumage.

Identification: The bill is fairly long and straight (no noticeable expansion to the gonys) and the wing projection is also noticeably long, which points to a juvenile California Gull. Ring-billed Gull at this age typically shows silvery greater coverts and is not so solid dark on the underparts (breast, belly and flanks). Western has a shorter wing projection and overall bulkier proportions, most noticeably with a bulbous-tipped bill. American Herring might be considered, but it too has a thicker bill, shorter wings and a proportionally larger head. The rust-brown tones to the neck and underparts suggest some elements of what is known as a "cinnamon type" California Gull, and that is indeed what our October 2024 Quiz is. 

October 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Nipissing County, Ontario. 13 October 2024.
• Ross's Gull (adult). Lambton County, Ontario. 15 October 2024.
• Iceland Gull (1st cycle). Stark County, Ohio. 18 October 2024.
• Early eBird record for this month. 
• Black-tailed Gull (adult type). Elgin County, Ontario. 19 October 2024.
• 2nd Province Record.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Sooke County; Vancouver Island; BC. 20 October 2024.
• Gray Gull (adult type). Walton County, Florida. 21 October 2024.
• Seen consistently through the 21st. Now with flight feather mostly renewed.
• Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Galveston County, Texas. 28 October 2024.
• Early.
• Little Gull (1st cycle). Caddo Parish, Louisiana. 28 October 2024.
• Common Gull (adult). Knox County, Maine. 31 October 2024.

September 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Black-legged Kitiwake (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 09 September 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Erie County, New York. 09 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 5). Erie County, New York. 09 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 8). Cook County, Illinois. 14 September 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Whatcom County, Washington. 14 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 10). Polk County, Iowa. 15 September 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Anchorage Municipality, Alaska. 17 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 17). Hamilton County, Ontario. 18 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 16). St. Clair County, Michigan. 18 September 2024. 
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 35). Douglas County, Wisconsin. 19 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 6). Hitchcock County, Nebraska. 21 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 17). Lambton County, Ontario. 22 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 15). Platte County, Wyoming. 22 September 2024
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 7). Barton County, Kansas. 22 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 9). Kalamazoo County, Michigan. 24 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 6). Comal County, Texas. 24 September 2024
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 6). Hood River County, Oregon. 25 September 2024
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 10). Clay County, Missouri. 25 September 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 13). Jefferson County, Colorado. 26 September 2024
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 5). Inyo County, California. 26 September 2024
• Sabine's Gull (juveniles - 4). Coconino County, Arizona. 30 September 2024
• Gray Gull (adult type). Walton County, Florida. 30 September 2024.
• Returning 1st ABA Record bird, continuing in Walton County all month.

Notes:

• An unusually high number of Sabine's Gulls pushed through the interior this month, beginning in the second week of September. Although September is the month they're most expect inland, this was a banner event, with many states breaking high count records for the species. As expected in the interior, almost all were juveniles. Similarly, excellent numbers were recorded offshore in California (mixed ages with adults being the majority). Apparently, this was due to a wonderful coincidence of observer's being present at feeding sites during offshore pelagic trips, and seems to be unrelated to the event that took place inland.

eBird map with September 2024 sightings of Sabine's Gulls throughout the interior.

September 2024 Quiz

 

August. Indiana.

Age: Overall, this appears to be an adult-type gull based on the white body, white tail and clean gray upperwing. 

Identification: Our September bird is somewhat of a mystery, but a well-known individual that has summered on the Illinois/Indiana state line for the last 20 years. Most people who got the correct answer this month were already familiar with "The Colonel", a putative hybrid between Laughing and Ring-billed Gull (which means this is likely the most popular hybrid gull in the ABA Area). 

I was impressed by several responses that gave an analysis of why the bird reminded them of Laughing Gull & Ring-billed Gull.

In any event, here's The Colonel in April, sporting its alternate plumage and with outer primaries fully grown:

August 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Ivory Gull (2 adults). Baffin County, Nunavut. 04 August 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (juvenile). San Mateo County, California. 07 August 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Washington County, Utah. 10 August 2024.
• 1ST STATE RECORD.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Teton County, Montana. 10 August 2024. 
• 6th State Record. 
• Short-billed Gull (adult). Larimer County, Colorado. 11 August 2024.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Galveston County, Texas. 14 August 2024.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Carbon County, Montana. 18 August 2024.
• 7th(?) State Record.
• Little Gull (juvenile). Pierce County, Washington. 20 August 2024.
• Gray Gull (4th cycle type). Escambia County, Florida. 24 August 2024.
• Presumably, the 1st ABA individual found in the summer of 2023. 
• Yellow-footed Gull (4th cycle). Clark County, Nevada. 30 August 2024.
• Presumably a returning individual, first found in March 2022 as a 1st cycle.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Petersburg Borough, Alaska. 24 August 2024.
• Heermann's Gull (6th cycle/adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 26 August 2024.
• Atlantic Coast bird lingering here since June.
• Ross's Gull (juvenile). Gambell, Alaska. 30 August 2024.

Notes: 

1. Sadly, Yellow-footed Gull numbers continue to "sink" at the Salton Sea. Luke Tiller and others reported very low numbers this summer with August seeing mostly singletons. A high count of 6 was reported by Ethan Matsuyama on 07 August 2024. Receding water levels and a lack of fish are to blame. 

2. "The" Gray Gull is back! Last seen in Alabama in April 2024, this time it was found just a smidgen east of the Alabama/Florida state line in Perdido Key. Where this bird spent the last four months is a mystery. It's sporting a basic head pattern with most secondaries retained (3rd basic), showing worn tips and reduced white. p1-p7 have been renewed (4th basic), p8 dropped and p9-p10 are old (3rd basic). It'll be very exciting to see what this bird does from here on out. 

3. Jens Wikström and others photographed a juvenile Ross's Gull from a ship off Svalbard on 20 August 2024. Although not in North America, it's included here because photos of juvenile Ross's Gulls with brown necks and brown mantle feathers are extremely rare! Then incidentally, another 1st cycle Ross's Gull was seen off the Gambell Seawatch on 30 August 2024 showing a similar neck and back pattern, but with noticeable formative feathers already grown in. 

August 2024 Quiz

 

June. New York.

Age: Both individuals are molting mid-outer primaries. These are one-year olds in their 2nd molt cycle (undergoing their 2nd prebasic molt).

The new inner primaries are 2nd generation (2nd basic) and the retained outer primaries are juvenile (1st basic). Both individuals have retained juvenile secondaries, and the individual on the right has retained juvenile tail feathers (which hold an important pattern used for identification).  

Identification: Notice the largely black bill on the individual on the left. This is a larger bird with massive bill, bull-neck and blocky head. The solid dark upperparts and whitish body point directly to Great Black-backed, which it is. The paler individual on the right with black bill tip and silvery scapulars is a typical American Herring, as suggested by the dark tail base. 

July 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Heermann's Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 02 July 2024.
• Apparent Atlantic Coast bird continuing in NC for the time being. 
• Heermann's Gull (adult type). Fremont County, Idaho. 07 July 2024.
• 1ST STATE RECORD.
• Black-tailed Gull (adult). Mackinac County, Michigan. 08 July 2024.
• 1st County Record. Drifting Lake Michigan individual from May-June. 
• Sabine's Gull (1st cycle type). Worcester County, Maryland. 09 July 2024.
• Apparently, continuing individual from June. 
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Erie County, Pennsylvania. 11 July 2024.
• California Gull (4th cycle type). Pinellas County, Florida. 13 July 2024.
• California Gull (2nd cycle). Ashtabula County, Ohio. 15 July 2024.
• Apparently, the same individual from Erie, PA, found ~30 miles west.
• Little Gull (2nd cycle). Kings County, New York. 16 July 2024.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle type). Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. 21 July 2024.
• 1ST STATE RECORD.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Anchorage Municipality, Alaska. 21 July 2024.
• California Gull (3rd cycle). Kent County, Delaware. 24 July 2024.
• 2nd State Record.
• Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle type). Harrison County, Mississippi. 29 July 2024.
• 1ST STATE RECORD. Appears to be the same individual from Louisiana.

Notes:

1. Although not in North America, a 2nd cycle type Audouin's Gull was found in Barbados on 20 June 2024 -- a first for this small island country, and incidentally, a first for the West Indies proper. Between 2017 and present, anywhere from 5-8 Audouin's Gulls (of all ages) have been found throughout the southern Caribbean and n. South America. Usually, extralimital gulls from Europe and Asia are found in North America, but this species seems to have a particular liking to this region, just north of the equator. Could one reach or have already reached the shores of the United States? Whatever the case, it is noteworthy and North American observers, especially those in the south between Texas and Florida, should give those Ring-billed and Laughing Gull flocks a closer look. 

July 2024 Quiz

 

Maryland. August.

Age: The warm brown upperparts with pale edging are typical of a juvenile (1st basic plumage).

Identification: This is a small-to-medium sized gull, with plumage aspect resembling Franklin's and Laughing Gull. The bill is relatively long and thick with a slight droop. The eye crescents do not boldly contrast with a blackish head (as in Franklin's), and the primary tips lack bold white apicals, which all support Laughing. The upper tail is exposed, with dark coming out all the way to the outer edge of the outer tail feathers. Our July Quiz is a fresh, juvenile, Laughing Gull.

Note that the smaller tern-like gulls (i.e., Bonaparte's, Little, Black-headed) have noticeably thinner and smaller bills and ear spots on the face. Sabine's may show a superficial resemblance, but again, it is noticeably smaller with petite bill. 

June 2024 Monthly Notables

    Sightings:

• Great Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle type). Portage la Prairie County, Manitoba. 01 June 2024.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Charlevoix County, Michigan. 05 June 2024.
• Ivory Gull (2 2nd cycles). Gambell, Alaska. 05 June 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Roussillon County, Quebec. 05 June 2024.
• Black-tailed Gull (adult). Schoolcraft County, Michigan. 08 June 2024. 
• 1ST STATE RECORD. Continued through 10 June 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (adult). Cochise County, Arizona. 09 June 2024. 
• Laughing Gull (2nd cycle). Linn & Livingston County, Missouri. 16 June 2024.
• 1st County Record for both Linn & Livingston.
• Heermann's Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 18 June 2024.
• Presumably the Atlantic coast bird, last seen in east-central FL in mid-February.
• Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle). Miami-Dade County, Florida. 20 June 2024.
• Thayer's Gull (2nd & 3rd cycle types). San Mateo County, California. 20 June 2024.
• Kumlien's Gull (2nd cycle type). New Hanover County, North Carolina. 21 June 2024.
• Sabine's Gull (adult type). Kings County, New York. 26 June 2024.
• 1st Brooklyn Record since 1930s; 3rd NYC Record. 
• California Gull (3rd cycle type). Essex County, Ontario. 29 June 2024.

    Notes:

• A Lake Michigan high count of 98 Lesser Black-backed Gulls was reported in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, on 04 June 2024, by Jim Frank. The majority of individuals were one-year-olds, at the start of their 2nd prebasic molt. No adults.

• The Illinois Black-tailed Gull from late May was found 250 miles to the north in Manistique, Michigan, by Christopher Vogel, on 08 June 2024. A long-awaited 1st State Record.

• A significant passage of ~68 Ross's Gulls was reported at Gambell (St. Lawrence Island) on 05 June 2024 by Kevin Zimmer. This extraordinary one-day count exceeds cumulative Spring season totals of this species for this site. No definitive adults were recorded.

June 2024 Quiz

 

May. Wisconsin.

Age: The dark tertials and dark wing panel, coupled with adult-like scapulars and dark ear spot suggest a 1st cycle type small gull. 

Identification: Given the time of year, this should be a one-year old tern-like gull based on the overall size, white body and dark ear spot. Important here is the white wedge seen on the base of the primaries, just below the tertials. This points directly to Bonaparte's and Black-headed, although the leg color suggests the former. Little Gull might be suspected based on the extraordinarily dark wing coverts (partly due to lighting). That species shows a saw-tooth black-to-white pattern on the folded primaries, with black on the outer webs and white on the inner half. Below is our May Quiz bird, sporting an all-black bill and thin tail band -- a 1st cycle Bonaparte's Gull showing a somewhat darker than average wing panel.

May 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

1. Common Gull (adult). Baraga County, Michigan. 02 May 2024.
• Apparent 1ST STATE RECORD.
2. Slaty-backed Gull (adult type). Le Rocher-Perce County, Quebec. 07 May 2024.
3. Ross's Gull (1st cycle). St. Paul Island. Alaska. 23 May 2024.
4. Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Baraga County, Michigan. 26 May 2024.
• 1st Record for Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 
5. Black-tailed Gull (adult). Lake County, Illinois. 29 May 2024.
• 3rd State Record.

Notes:

• A putative Short-billed x Ring-billed (female) hybrid was found with a Short-billed Gull (male) in Fairbanks, Alaska on 07 May 2024. Initially reported by Josh Spice and subsequently seen by others. The two adults appeared to be paired up (no nest reported) and were observed billing and copulating. The hybrid is closely tending toward Ring-billed, but with a tapered bill tip showing a noticeably thin black ring, and broader than expected white tertial crescent. In addition to location, another supporting feature for a hybrid, which isn't conclusive in the images, is an apparent dusky iris (not clear yellow). The observer noted a Ring-billed quality to its voice. Photos on eBird can be found here and here.
  
  
• An apparent May high count of 38 Iceland Gulls for the Great Lakes region, and likely the entire interior, was reported on 04 May 2024 by Woody Goss in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. A minimum of 23 first cycle types, 7 second cycle, 4 third cycle and 4 adults were recorded. The observer noted there could have been more 1st cycle types. This site typically sees 1-3 Iceland Gulls summering here most years.

May 2024 Quiz

 

England. December.

Age: 1st cycle.

Identification: Our May Quiz looks like a four-cycle species, with a noticeable old-world tail pattern. Observers in North America would expect a Lesser Black-backed to approach this look, but the heavily barred/checkered greater coverts and pale inner primary window point away from that species. Might this be a Great Black-backed? Size and structure, particularly the small head and proportionally small bill, among other things, are wrong for that species.

Given the location, the overall dilute brown upperparts look typical of European Herring Gull, and indeed the dark subterminal spots on the inner primaries, with adjacent white capsules on the outer webs, look "spot on" for that species. 

April 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

1. Black-headed Gull (adult). Contra Costa County, California. 01 April 2024.
2. Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Roberts County, South Dakota. 14 April 2024.
3. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Marquette County, Michigan.16 April 2024.
4. Western Gull (adult type). Washington County, Utah. 18 April 2024. 
5. Great Black-backed Gull (subadult). Mobile County, Alabama. 21 April 2024.
6. Yellow-footed Gull (adult type). Los Angeles County, California. 21 April 2024.
7. Gray Gull (3rd cycle type). Baldwin County, Alabama. 23 April 2024.
• Continuing 1st ABA Record.
8. Little Gull (1st cycle). Del Norte County, California. 23 April 2024.
• 3rd County Record.
9. Swallow-tailed Gull (adult). San Francisco County, California. 25 April 2024.
• 2nd County Record.
10. Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Cameron Parish, Louisiana. 25 April 2024.

Notes:

1. The Swallow-tailed Gull from San Francisco County was found on Southeast Farallon Island -- a first island record. As all other records in the ABA Area, it was sporting a dark hood in alternate plumage. Active tail and innermost secondary molt.
2. On 20 April 2024, Woody Goss reported 2 putative Kelp x Herring hybrids from Galveston County, Texas (adult and 3rd cycle type). Both in breeding condition with alternate head patterns but showing the expected grayish-yellow leg color of many Kelps. Neither had started flight feather molt. The 3rd cycle type was the more classic of the two with blob-tipped bill, blocky head and longish legs. It displayed the expected small, squarish p10 mirror set well back from the feather tip and long hand in flight. The adult type was slighter and could easily be passed off as a Lesser Black-backed, structurally, but showed too much gray (not black) on the underside of the wingtip, and noticeably large p7 pearl. Hybrid Lesser Black-backed x Herrings average less black on p8 (particularly the inner web), and don't typically show this dull leg color. 

April 2024 Quiz

 

California. January.

Age: 1st cycle in what appears to be complete juvenile plumage.

Identification: This juvenile is clearly a member of the large white-headed gulls (as opposed to smaller tern-like or hooded gulls). Some Slaty-backed Gulls can approach this look, especially the plain pattern to the greater coverts, paired with pale bases to the median coverts showing pointy dark tips. However, the massively thick bill, large head with proportionally small eye placed high on the face, call to mind Western and Glaucous-winged. The primaries are too dark for Glaucous-winged and too pale for Western (which doesn't show this extensive pale edging). The neatly pattern coverts (which we've noted can be found in Slaty-backed at this age) are also expected in hybrid Western x Glaucous-winged, which is what this individual was identified as. Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull is another taxon to consider, which often shows a slighter, Herring-like build, averages a thinner bill and streakier head at this date.

March 2024 Quiz

Illinois. October.

Age: The overall plumage aspects of the two big brown jobs suggest 1st cycle. The center bird is an adult-type.

Identification: The adult in the center is a Ring-billed, with what appears to be a chunkier and slightly larger 1st cycle on the left and a slightly smaller gull on the right.

Note the darker brown centers to the upperparts on the individual on the right, showing broader and more consistent pale fringes. The bill appears thinner and jet black, with paler vent region. This is a 1st cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull in complete juvenile plumage. The individual on the left has a deeper chest, a weaker pattern to the coverts and what appear to be replaced juvenile scapulars. It falls squarely in the mold of a 1st cycle American Herring Gull. 

March 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

1. Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 01 March 2024.
• Last sighting of the winter season. 
2. Thayer's Gull (adult). Virginia Beach County, Virginia. 03 March 2024.
3. Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Cape May County, New Jersey. 04 March 2024.
4. GRAY GULL* (3rd cycle type). Baldwin County, Alabama. 14 March 2024.
• Plumage sequence suggests same individual from Walton County, FL, last seen on 03 December 2023.
5. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Cowlitz County, Washington. 08 March 2024.
6. Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 10 March 2024.
7. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Multnomah County, Oregon. 11 March 2024.
• Same individual from Cowlitz County, WA; also seen in Clark on 12 March 2024.
8. Ivory Gull (adult). North Slope Borough, Alaska. 11 March 2024.
9. Little Gull (adult). Starr County, Texas. 17 March 2024.
10. Common Gull (adult). Windham County, Connecticut. 20 March 2024.
11. Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). North Okanagan District, British Columbia. 22 March 2024.
• Continuing since December 2023.
12. Vega Gull (adult). Tompkins County, New York. 23 March 2024.
• Likely an individual first detected in this region in mid-December 2023.
13. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Anchorage Municipality, Alaska. 25 March 2024.
14. Black-headed Gull (adult). Contra Costa County, California. 26 March 2024.
15. Heermann's Gull (2nd cycle). Alberni-Clayoquot District, British Columbia. 26 March 2024.

Notes:

 

* The Florida-Alabama Gray Gull was relocated in Baldwin County, Alabama on 14 March 2024 and continues through 31 March 2024. It appears to be undergoing a 3rd prealternate molt with fresh scapulars and a paling gray head. It is safe to say this bird has adjusted to a boreal molt schedule and should be sporting an all-pale hood in the next few weeks.

February 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

1. Short-billed Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 01 February 2024.
• Presumably a returning individual, found in same flock as Kamchatka Gull.
2. Glaucous-winged Gull (3rd cycle). Tompkins County, New York. 03 February 2024.
• Same individual found in Orange County, NY; Jan 2024.
3. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Wayne County, Michigan. 03 February 2024.
4. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Niagara County, Ontario. 04 February 2024.
5. Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 04 February 2024.
• Continuing, returning bird.
6. Thayer's Gull (1st cycle). Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. 04 February 2024.
7. Black-legged Kittiwake (adult type). Duval County, Florida. 04 February 2024.
8. California Gull (2nd cycle). Galveston County, Texas. 04 February 2024.
9. California Gull (adult). Harris County, Texas. 05 February 2024.
10. Little Gull (1st cycle). Cochise County, Arizona. 06 February 2024.
• Apparent 3rd State Record.
11. Common Gull (adult). Washington County, Maine. 07 February 2024.
12. Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). North Okanagan District, British Columbia. 09 February 2024.
13. Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Dade County, Missouri. 09 February 2024.
14. Yellow-footed Gull (3rd cycle/ad.). Clark County, Nevada. 10 February 2024.
• Continuing. 
15. Sabine's Gull (adult). Clatsop County, Washington. 12 February 2024.
16. Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Hamilton County, Tennesse. 13 February 2024.
17. California Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 14 February 2024.
18. California Gull (adult). Harris County, Texas. 16 February 2024.
• A larger and paler individual than that from 05 February 2024.
19. Black-legged Kittiwake (1st cycle). Cameron Parish, Louisiana. 17 February 2024.
20. Glaucous-winged Gull (adult). Sauk County, Wisconsin. 17 February 2024.
• 8th State Record. Same individual found in Lake County, Illinois; Jan 2024.
21. Glaucous Gull (1st cycle). San Diego County, California. 19 February 2024.
22. Thayer's Gull (adult). Virginia Beach County, Virginia. 21 February 2024.
23. Thayer's Gull (2 ad.). Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. 24 February 2024.
24. California Gull (2nd cycle). Lake County, Illinois. 27 February 2024.
25. Heermann's Gull (5th cycle/ad.). Volusia County, Florida. 29 February 2024.
• Atlantic Coast bird now in 5th alternate plumage.
26. Kamchatka Gull (adult). Fairfield County, Connecticut. 29 February 2024.
• Continuing 

February 2024 Quiz

 

Illinois. December.

Age: A somewhat cryptic plumage aspect that initially suggests 1st cycle. However, looking closely at p10, there is a small mirror seen on both wings. The axillaries are contrastingly pale, which also points away from a 1st cycle, but admittedly, this ties directly with identification discussed below. The pattern on the secondaries on the far wing is plain and irregularly colored, and the tongues on p6-p8 are deep and neatly demarcated, which combine for a 2nd cycle large gull.

Identification: This individual has a fairly small head, gentle bill and apparent small body, making for a docile appearance. The grayish-brown plumage aspect seems uniform and points away from species such as Herring, which are decidedly darker brown with greater contrast throughout. Importantly, the underside to the outer primaries is typical of a "pale-winged" species, such as Iceland and Glaucous-winged. Given the apparent size and structure, and pattern to the upperside of the outer primaries (far wing), we can comfortably rule out Glaucous-winged. 

Our February Quiz bird is a 2nd cycle type Thayer's Gull.

January 2024 Quiz

 

January. Oregon.

Age: This large white-headed gull shows an overall adult aspect, but with noticeable tail markings, brownish-gray wash across the upperwing, streaked primary coverts and an all-dark bill tip, suggesting a 3rd cycle type.

Identification: This is a broad-winged bird with a fairly short hand. The robust bill and large powerful body point to a bulky taxon, ruling out smaller and slimmer taxa found in the West. Given the location, Western and Glaucous-winged Gull should come to mind. The gray upperparts seem too dark for Glaucous-winged, but may fit a paler northern occidentalis Western. However, the outer primaries show a distinctive grayish coloration, and not the jet black expected in Western. This wingtip pattern and color fits perfectly for a Western x Glaucous-winged hybrid, however, and that's what our January Quiz bird was identified as in the field.  

January 2024 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

• Common Gull (adult)¹. Windham County, Connecticut. 01 January 2024.
• Presumably a returning bird from last winter.
• Black-legged Kittiwake (adult). Duval County, Florida. 01 January 2024.
• Continuing from Dec 2023.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Marion County, Oregon. 01 January 2024.
• Continuing from Dec 2023.
• Short-billed Gull (adult)¹. Fairfield County, Connecticut. 04 January 2024.
• Presumably a returning bird first detected last winter. 
• Laughing Gull (1st cycle). Hughes County, South Dakota. 05 January 2024.
• Vega Gull (adult). San Mateo County, California. 05 January 2024.
• Presumably a returning bird for the fourth consecutive winter.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Sudbury County, Ontario. 05 January 2024.
• Slaty-backed Gull (4th cycle type). Del Norte County, California. 05 January 2024.
• Franklin's Gull (1st cycle). Horray County, South Carolina. 07 January 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Scott County, Iowa. 06 January 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Rock Island County, Illinois. 08 January 2024.
• Same individual from Scott County, Iowa.
• Common Gull (adult)⁴. Prince Edward County, Ontario. 08 January 2024.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Benton County, Washington. 09 January 2024.
• Continuing. 
• Kumlien's Gull (adult). King County, Washington. 09 January 2024.
• Little Gull (1st cycle & two ad.). Washington County, Rhode Island. 10-15 January 2024.
• Little Gull (adult). Monmouth County, New Jersey. 10 January 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (ad & two 1st cycle). Washington County, Rhode Island. 12 January 2024.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). St. Louis County, Minnesota. 12 January 2024.
• Common Gull (adult)⁴. Lambton County, Ontario. 13 January 2024.
• Sight record. Reported nominate canus. 
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Washoe County, Nevada. 14 January 2024.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Nantucket County, Massachusetts. 18 January 2024.
• Continuing. 
• Glaucous-winged Gull (3rd cycle)². Orange County, New York. 20 January 2024.
• 2nd State Record*. 
• Black-headed Gull (ad. & two 1st cycle). Nassau County, New York. 05-19 January 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (2nd cycle). Chaves County, New Mexico. 20 January 2024.
• Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Toronto County, Ontario. 21 January 2024.
• Glaucous-winged Gull (adult). Lake County, Illinois. 22 January 2024.
• Franklin's Gull (adult). Del Norte County, California. 23 January 2024.
• Black-headed Gull (adult). Lexington County, South Carolina. 25 January 2024.
• California Gull (adult). Will County, Illinois. 27 January 2024.
• Heermann's Gull (5th cycle/ad.). Volusia County, Florida. 23 January 2024.
• Continuing Atlantic Coast bird.
• Yellow-footed Gull (3rd cycle). Clark County, Nevada. 24 January 2024.
• Continuing. 
• Kamchatka Gull (adult). Essex County, Massachusetts. 26 January 2024.
• An individual with 13 primaries on the right wing.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Mohave County, Arizona. 27 January 2024.
• Thayer's Gull (3 ads.)⁵. Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. 29 January 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). Madison County, Illinois. 29 January 2024.
• Short-billed Gull (1st cycle). St. Charles County, Missouri. 30 January 2024.
• 3rd State Record. Same individual from Madison County, Illinois.
• Kamchatka Gull (adult)¹. Fairfield County, Connecticut. 30 January 2024.
• Continuing. 
• Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). Randall County, Texas. 30 January 2024.
• Continuing 1st State Record. 
• Great Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). North Okanagan District, B.C. 30 January 2024.
• Continuing from last month.

Notes:

1. Connecticut saw another trifecta of adult Common, Kamchatka and Short-billed Gull this month, with all 3 individuals believed to be returning from at least last winter (2022-2023).

2.The 3rd cycle Glaucous-winged Gull found in Orange County, NY may very well be a returning individual from March 2023 (then a 2nd cycle; Bronx County, NY). Bill structure, overall build and age sequence makes this a very likely scenario. These two would constitute 1st and 2nd state records, consecutively, if accepted.

3. January saw an above average "smattering" of Black-headed Gull sightings dotted throughout the Atlantic coast, from New Hampshire down to South Carolina. 

4. Two Common Gulls from Ontario (presumably nominate canus) is noteworthy. 

5. Thanks to the efforts of Alix d'Entremont, southwest Nova Scotia is now consistently recording Thayer's Gulls. Albeit in small numbers, this becomes the farthest east that the taxon can be expected annually now, which begs the question, might there be more throughout the Atlantic Provinces. 

6. Finally, the frequency of Lesser Black-backed Gull reports throughout the interior has become overwhelmingly high. Moving forward, Monthly Notable mentions will be limited to high counts and/or early/late records.