I spent a few days in St. Johns Newfoundland some years ago and got many
photos of Iceland Gulls (they're thick there). I agree with the
naysayers. This is definitely not an Iceland Gull. But, I'm guessing
that the bill is too small even for a Barrovianus. Strange.
Which brings up the question of Barrovianus, a smaller form, which is
often stated to winter on the
west coast. I don't think I've ever seen one. Either that, or they
all (mostly juveniles)
are Barrovianus. Any opinions on this 'form'.
As I recall, I have a photo of an adult Glaucous taken in Tillamook
last winter. I'll try to find it.
Bob OBrien
On 11/18/16, Jeff Gilligan <jeffgilligan10@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I just got back from Fern Hill where the gull was present until about 4:20POST: Send your post to obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
PM. The light wasn't great. I too was wondering why it isn't a barrovianus
Glaucous Gull. The records committee has reviewed at least superficially
similar birds in the past and called them that. It was my recollection that
the nominate race of Iceland Gull with the all white primaries had never
been confirmed in the US. On that basis alone though I wouldn't rule out a
nominate Iceland Gull from reaching us even if it hasn't reached the Eastern
US. The same could be said about Common Scoters. A nominate Iceland Gull
could go east along the Siberian Arctic coast and reach the North Pacific.
Jeff Gilligan
On Nov 18, 2016, at 1:58 PM, Shawneen Finnegan <shawneenfinnegan@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Now that I am home I hope we can also get better photos of the wing tips.
One of the hesitations I have is that the wingtips are too white also
suggesting a small Glaucous. Steve Nord was concerned about this
subspecies and rightly put it out as so.
My subject line should have said POSSIBLE instead of making it sound like
I was convinced it is an ICGU. I had just written a long email on my phone
and it was deleted when I answered a text. Hate it when that happens.
Glaucous Gull — L. g. barrovianus — is the small subspecies. Howell’s gull
book is the best reference I have.
I have an appointment to go to now but will download more pics later and
hopefully others will post theirs.
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