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December 2015

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Subject:
From:
Cory Gregory <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Cory Gregory <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 30 Dec 2015 21:47:58 -0500
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Howdy birders,

This morning (12/30) we, along with 1-2 dozen other birders, were at
Springfield Lake hoping for the Kelp Gull that was reported to have flown
in last night.  It didn't take long to spot a very suspicious gull at first
light; it was VERY dark mantled, with a completely clean white head, etc.
In fact, we thought surely it was the Kelp Gull and we assumed that this
was the bird reported last night as well.

It stayed on the water for quite a while during which time most of the
crowd dispersed.  At 8:12 AM, the bird got up with many of the gulls,
circled, and flew south.  However, it was during that flush that a couple
of us had our suspicions confirmed; it was a GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL and
NOT the Kelp Gull!

Several of us managed photos and they show several fieldmarks that confirm
it as Great Black-backed.  First, there is white on the tips of both P9 and
P10, visible in these photos (Kelp Gull only has a small, isolated mirror
on P10):

https://flic.kr/p/BH69jU
https://flic.kr/p/CxiE2e

Secondly, you can see the leg and feet color in this photo and they're PINK
(not yellow like a Kelp):

https://flic.kr/p/CEB1sH

During much of the day, we've been seeing eBird reports coming in from this
morning that claim this as a Kelp Gull.  Sadly, other than 1 adult Lesser
Black-backed Gull, there were no other dark-mantled gulls present.  Please,
if you were there or know someone that was, be advised that the Kelp Gull
was NOT present this morning.  There are at least 3 birders that have
posted photos from this morning that confirm it wasn't the Kelp (their
checklists are publicly viewable in eBird).  Similarly, I would be very
curious to see photos of the bird reported as Kelp last night but have yet
to see any.

Anyway, hopefully the real Kelp will return soon!  In the meantime, be on a
keen lookout for this Kelp look-alike and be sure to study and get proof of
the fieldmarks!


Good birding,

Cory Gregory & Ashley Casey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23836012@N02/

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