A first-cycle California Gull appeared at Canal Park in Duluth today while
I was counting gulls. Although missed for the Duluth CBC yesterday, this is
the latest date for this species in Minnesota, with the previous latest
date an adult bird in Duluth on 15 December 1984. Interestingly, today’s
California Gull is the same individual that was present at the Superior
Entry and Wisconsin Point from 19-22 October 2014, but the bird had not
been reported for two months.  I was able to determine that it was the same
bird by comparing my photos to photos that Peder Svingen had taken back in
October, specifically looking at the detailed pattern of each uppertail
covert feather. A photo of this bird was posted on MOU Recently seen and
additional photos can be seen at
http://www.pbase.com/karlbardon/california_gull_2014.



Today was a phenomenal day for gulls at Canal Park, with over 1600 Herring
Gulls, 29 Glaucous Gulls (18 first-cycle, 4 second-cycle, 2 third-cycle,
and 5 adults), 15 Thayer’s Gulls (5 first-cycle, 2 second-cycle, and 8
adults), and 1 Iceland Gull (first-cycle). There were also 2 adult and 1
first-cycle Iceland/Thayer’s Gulls, birds that appeared to be Iceland Gulls
at first but detailed examination of the wingtip pattern showed potential
gene flow with Thayer’s Gull. This is the second highest count of Glaucous
Gulls in Minnesota, and I was able to find two additional hybrid
second-cycle Nelson’s Gulls (Glaucous x Herring) among them, with photos of
these birds at http://www.pbase.com/karlbardon/nelsons_gull_2014



The continuing Common Eider in Duluth has become a fixture at Canal Park
the last few days where it can be approached within a few feet. A detailed
photo study from today is at http://www.pbase.com/karlbardon/common_eider



Karl Bardon

Duluth, MN

www.pbase.com/karlbardon

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