After looking at Damien's photos and talking with several people, odds are that both gulls were Lesser Black-backed. I hope someone gets definitive photos of the birds side by side - you will be impressed with the difference of size and appearance. Who said gull ID is easy?? Other sightings from yesterday: No sign of the Ferrugineous Hawk at Bogota Wildlife Refuge. Great Horned, Barred, and at least 2 SE Owls seen and/or heard before daylight. The SE Owls were in the field to the right (west) just past the sign for pools 5 & 7 where we saw them last weekend as well. They are quite tape-responsive, at least vocally. At Ky Lake, ducks are arriving, with hundreds of Buffleheads and Horned Grebes at Paris Landing. The gull roost at Eagle creek held several hundred birds about half RB and half Bonaparte's. A single Ross's Goose was present. At Britton Ford a small flock of geese included Snow, Greater WF, and Canada. Most of the ducks there are either Mallards or Gadwall. The Ruddy Duck/Canvasback collection was nowhere to be seen - victims of the new building project?? Cheers Terry Witt Murfreesboro Tn ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "tnbarredowl@xxxxxxx" <tnbarredowl@xxxxxxx> To: terrywitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sat, November 17, 2012 9:03:30 PM Subject: Re: [TN-Bird] Possible first state record gull Here's my better photos. Check out the bill on this one. Damien -----Original Message----- From: Terry Witt <terrywitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: Damien J. Simbeck <tnbarredowl@xxxxxxx> Sent: Sat, Nov 17, 2012 8:33 pm Subject: Re: [TN-Bird] Possible first state record gull Thanks Damien If it were size alone, I could not argue. If you had seen the difference in bill size and shape, I think you would have been impressed. When I saw the birds, I had no expectancy of anything, just tried to note all the features. If it is just another Lesser BB, I will eat crow (or Gull) BTW - Chad and I are planning another assault on the sparrow next spring Cheers Terry ________________________________ From: Damien J. Simbeck <tnbarredowl@xxxxxxx> To: Terry Witt <terrywitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sat, November 17, 2012 7:30:53 PM Subject: Re: [TN-Bird] Possible first state record gull I just had this debate about a large billed, dark backed gull I saw last weekend in Guntersville, AL. Everyone who studied my photos said male Lesser Black-backed! Said they can be that much bigger than the females. Damien Terry Witt <terrywitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Today while birding alone for a change (Chad Smith sidelined with recent surgery), I encountered a gull which has confounded me. There was a small gullroost on the island at Gray's Landing (east side of Paris Landing bridge over Ky Lake off US79). 25 gulls and about 40 A White Pelicans were present. The gulls were perched on the backside of the island, and I could only see them from the shoulders up. From the bridge, I saw one black-backed type that I assumed was Lesser BB, but thought to be sure, I should see it better. I walked north along the lakeshore and when closer, saw that there were 2 black-backed gulls present. One seemed to be a fairly typical adult Lesser BB although it did have some black feathers around the face, I never saw it's legs. The other was larger and clearly a different species. The mantle color for both birds was similar, but the larger bird had a very different bill, much thicker, yellow with red spot on mandible; the head was streaked, and as I approached it flew a few feet into the water revealing bright yellow feet and legs. I was not sure what I was seeing, and as I had cleverly left the camera in the car, I retreated with the intent of obtaining photos. When I returned, the pelicans had flown about a half mile north, there were 15 or so scattered RB Gulls on the water and both BB gulls had dissapeared. Aargh. The choices as I see it, Western Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Kelp Gull, or Yellow-footed Gull. I really don't think Greater BB Gull is in the picture, not dark enough or big enough. It was definitely not another Lesser BB. Kelp Gull is much darker, and the legs should be brighter, but still a possibility. Western Gull looks good except for the leg color, and the head streaking. Slaty-backed Gull looks good on all fronts except leg color. Yellow-footed Gull seems a bit large for what I saw, and should have an unstreaked head. None of these are currently on the state list. Anyone who tries for the bird tomorrow should know it is unidentified, and had left the scene late PM. I am going back over in the AM, please call if you see this guy, or anything else of interest, 615 849-5667. One request - the birds may have been ready to leave the roost, however I am sure I hastened their departure. If you walk up the hill from the parking area. there is an old road with a metal gate. You can walk through the woods north along the road, which is easier than on the stones that are lakeside if a bit longer, and then approach the birds through the woods with little risk of disturbance. Bon Chance Terry Witt Murfreesboro Tn
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