I congratulate Alan on this fascinating gull and holding off in finalizing
the ID until he was absolutely certain of it. Large gull identification is a
conundrum to perhaps understate the case and many dark mantled birds appear
in Ontario that may not be what they at first seem to be.
At some time I may offer some comment in a proper forum. I think it best to
say now that all who go to look for the gull have good luck.
Kevin.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Wormington" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 10:46 PM
Subject: [Ontbirds] Apparent ** KELP GULL ** at Wheatley Harbour
Everyone,
On Friday, at about 5:00 p.m., an adult black-backed gull sitting on the
rocks at Wheatley Harbour caught my attention. It essentially looked like
a Great Black-backed Gull except (1) it was smallish (the size of an
average Herring Gull); and (2) the legs were a dull yellowish-green. Kelp
Gull crossed my mind, but for some reason I thought leg colour normally
had a more bluish cast. However, this is not the case per various books
and online photos, etc.
I took numerous photos and sent them to Kevin McLaughlin for comment. I
jokingly suggested Kelp Gull, but he said there was nothing inconsistent
for that species. However, he said photos of the spread wing were
desperately needed.
I went back to Wheatley Harbour twice on Saturday, but could not find the
bird (it was quite windy).
Today (Sunday) I went again around 4:30 p.m. or so, and immediately found
the bird sitting on the same rocks as Friday. I spent a good time with
the bird, taking tons of photos including those showing the spread wings
both above and below.
The bird sits on the outer breakwall at Wheatley Harbour, at the left end
close to the water line. Walk out onto the pier for proper viewing. Be
aware that there are various black-backed gulls also present, including
Great Black-backed Gull and a nice adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.
The bird appears to be the widespread subspecies occurring in South
America (nominate dominicanus), rather than the one in the Antarctic
(austrinus). The Wheatley bird has only a small white mirror in P10
(larger and oval or elongated in austrinus), and mantle colour is very
black (dark gray mantle with darkening wingtips in austrinus).
With this message I will let Kevin post a technical analysis of the bird,
if he so wishes. Tonight he spent some time analyzing all of my photos.
I only find rare gulls, I don't like describing them!
I have many good photos of the bird and I would like to post a few to the
OFO website, but there seems to be a policy where no more than a single
photo can be posted by one person for one particular bird. However, I do
not want to post just a single photo, as it would not tell the whole
story. Frank?? Sandra??
Alan Wormington,
Leamington
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_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
