Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2013-48
| Common name: |
Western Gull |
| Scientific name: | Larus occidentalis |
| Date: | 16 May 2013 |
| Time: | ~8 am |
| Length of time observed: | 5 min |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult non breeding |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Neponset Reservoir, Deseret Ranch |
| County: | Rich |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 150 yds |
| Optical equipment: | Svarovski spotting scope |
| Weather: | chilly, very windy with gusts to 30-40 kts |
| Light Conditions: | overcast but good light |
| Description: Size of bird: | large gull, ~ 24 in tall |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | gull shaped |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | white head, very dark gray back, almost black |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | yellow bill withbulbuous tip with dark spot |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Flock of 30+ California gulls along beach at reservoir hunkered down in very windy conditions. One gull clearly larger with much darker back. Observed through scope for about 5 minutes. Bill larger at tip, but could not distinguish color of spot on tip of bill. Head was all white with no streaking. Legs light colored |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Standing along shore of reservoir with a coup of California gulls hunkered down in strong wind. Only a handful of Forster's terns were flying due to wind |
| Habitat: | Stony beach at edge of large reservoir |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Yellow footed: by location and lack of yellow legs
Glaucous winged: much darker and this bird had totally white head with no brown streaking Slaty backed: lack of streaking on neck and head, no stripe through eye, legs not pink, location California: larger and darker |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Observed frequently along California coast and recently at Antelope Island causeway |
| References consulted: | National Geographic and iBord Pro |
| Description from: | Notes made later |
| Observer: | John C Ruckdeschel, MD |
| Observer's address: | 10838 Willow Heights Dr. Las vegas NV 89135 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | several members of Great Salt lake Bird group in particular my adult daughter Emily Ruckdeschel, MD |
| Date prepared: | 26 May 2013 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional_Comments: | Live in Vegas but work in Utah so 'home' is actually Kimball Junction |