While birdwatching at Canal Park this afternoon with my friend Kirk Mona,
we had some great looks at Thayer's Gulls, an Iceland Gull (one 1st-cycle
Kumlien's, plus the individual noted below), a few Ring-billed Gulls and
about 50 Herring Gulls. Upon arriving at Canal Park around noon today, a
distant Northern Goshawk flew by, heading due north in a migration-fashion!
Iceland Gulls come in two "races"... the kumlieni race and the glaucoides
race.
The Kumlien's race is a slightly bolder-marked, tanpale-gray-detailed race
of Iceland Gull. They breed throughout the islands along the
northeastern-most tier of the Hudson Bay region. Most of the "Iceland"
gulls observed throughout the Great Lakes during the winter months are
believed to be of this race/form.
The Glaucoides race breeds along the central and southern shores of
Greenland. This race as a whole, is even paler than the Kumlien's race.
Seeing an Iceland Gull is a treat and privilege to witness, regardless of
the race or variety. Iceland Gulls are gorgeously-frosty, almost like the
"Hoary Redpoll" version of the Thayer's Gull, if that makes sense :-) The
extra-pale appearance overall, plus white "hands" throughout the outer
primaries on this interesting Iceland Gull seen today is reminiscent of the
Glaucoides race of Iceland Gull, which constitute many of the
Greenland-dwelling Iceland Gulls. Feedback is welcome. Thanks, and enjoy
the photos!
Good birding,
Erik Bruhnke
Duluth, MN
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*NATURALLY AVIAN* - Guided Birdwatching Trips and Bird photography
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