There exists the possibility that the "ivory gull" reported at Alum Creek
reservoir is not legit. Photo.s from ebird or some where else of an ivory
gull not at Ohio could have been inserted into the ebird report. It's
happened before. Someone I spoke with stated that he could not confirm any
background features in the photographs. Also the photo.s were very
close-up, which I'm told wouldn't be all that easy at Alum Creek beach.
A red flag should have gone up when the "ivory gull" was reported at Alum
Creek reservoir about 11 a.m. and the white-winged scoter was reported at
about 3:30 p.m. No "ivory gull" on the scoter ebird list of 3:30 on 29
December. Of course, if the gull was there, it could have flown to the
middle area of the reservoir.
The reporter of the "ivory gull" seems to be a mystery with no one I've
talked to familiar with him.
Ebird should be able to reverse engineer the information from the "ivory
gull" ebird checklist and determine the name, email, etc. of the person
reporting the gull.
However, with birds almost anything is possible. Bramblings, curlew
sandpipers and the Black-tailed gull are seen and well documented.
I think when the OBRC reviews this "documentation" the legitimacy of the
record should be considered.
Good birding,
John Herman

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