Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2016-47


Common name:

Iceland Gull

Scientific name: Larus glaucoides
Date: 11-25-2016
Time: 4:30pm
Length of time observed: 10 minutes
Number: 1
Age: 1st cycle
Sex: ?
Location: Lee Kay Ponds
County: Salt Lake
Latilong:  
Elevation: 4250ft
Distance to bird: 100m
Optical equipment: Bushnell 20-48X spotting scope, Vortex 8.5 X 32 Binoculars
Weather: Party cloudy, 45F
Light Conditions: Good
Description:        Size of bird: Medium sized gull-24in
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Typical Larus Gull
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: very pale whitish with buff checkering
(Description:)            Bill Type: Smallish gull bill
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
First noted very pale gull loafing on island next to Herring Gulls. Smaller than Herrings, rather round head, smallish bill, mostly black with some pink at base of lower mandible, uniform frosty whitish with pale buff checkering. Tertials mostly checkered, primaries mostly whitish with dark arrow marking on shaft. Fairly typical 1st cycle Kumlien's Iceland Gull.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: none heard
Behavior: Loafing and preening on island of freshwater pond
Habitat: Freshwater ponds near a landfill not far from the Great Salt Lake
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Thayer's are rather similar, and much debate exists whether they are distinct species or just sub-species, with many inter-grades that cannot be safely assigned. Whether or not they are species or sub-species, this was a fairly classic Kumlien's. A Thayer's was nearby for direct comparison, solid dark tertials and dark blackish-brown primaries with pale edging noted, as was darker brown checkering throughout.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Yes, many
References consulted: memory
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Bryant Olsen
Observer's address: 688 East 700 South #105, SLC, UT 84102
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Darren Clark first found and reported the bird on facebook on 11-24-16
Date prepared: 11-27-16
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: eBird checklis: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32718130