Probable Laughing Gull observed today (10/19/2106) on the beach at Buck Creek State Park in Clark County. This was a medium-sized gull that was slightly smaller than the Ring-billed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls that it was standing next to, but it seemed too large for a Franklin's gull. Completely black bill; bill seemed too large for a Franklin's and it was somewhat curved downwards. The plumage was intermediate between the juvenile and 1st winter plumage. There was a strong contrast between brown upperwings and gray back (this contrast was one of its most prominent features). Dark chest. The head was brownish (or maybe dirty white is a better description) near the forehead and cheeks, but the base of the skull had gray/black feathers (partial hood). An eye-ring was prominent. Finally, its tail was white with a broad black band at the tip (I initially described it as having a white rump given the extent of black on the tip). I did not see the underwings or leg color. Viewed from about 40 feet away. If anybody has a chance to visit Buck Creek, it would be great to get confirmation.

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.


You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]