LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

     This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.

1. English and Scientific names: Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

One, sex unknown, apparently a second cycle bird.

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Cameron

Specific Locality: about 2 mi W of Holly Beach community, near the easternmost rock breakwaters.

4. Date(s) when observed:  February 26, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 10:19 a.m. according to time stamp on photos.

6. Reporting observer and address: Paul Conover, Lafayette

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):  Mac Myers

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):  Combination of sea fog and clouds reduced color discrimination, but light was evenly spread and sufficient to see gross details.   

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):  Nikon Fieldscope ED 20-60X

11. Distance to bird(s):  100 yards?

12. Duration of observation:   perhaps 10 minutes

13. Habitat:  Gulf beach.  Bird was perched just offshore on rock breakwaters with other gulls and Brown Pelicans. 

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):  Bird was perched, preened a little but never spread wings and tail. 

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):  A large gull, appeared larger than adjacent Herring Gulls.  At distance and perhaps due to lighting, bird appeared solidly white.  Bill solidly pink at base, with dark area at distal tip around gonydeal area.  Unlike younger birds, didn’t have the distinct “dipped in ink” tip, but rather a remnant of it; extreme tip of bill had acquired a pale color.  Eye pale, looks yellowish-white in photos.  Legs pale pink. 

16. Voice:

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):  The main possibility for confusion is an albino.  Nothing in this bird’s appearance is out of keeping with a 2nd cycle Glaucous; the bill pattern is clean, bill color is pink, legs are normal color for Glaucous.  2nd/3rd cycle Herring Gull might show similar soft part colors, but I feel that something odd would betray this gull’s ID if it was an albino of a different species.     

 

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):  Decent photos by P.C.

19. Previous experience with this species:  Only in Louisiana, and only with 1st winters, but I’ve gotten good studies of at least a half-a-dozen here. 

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes.