Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2019-01
| Common name: |
Great Black-backed Gull |
| Scientific name: | Larus marinus |
| Date: | 1/11/2019 |
| Time: | 9:00 |
| Length of time observed: | 45 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Stateline Cove, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah |
| County: | Daggett |
| Latilong: | 40.996352,-109.602629 |
| Elevation: | 6100 Feet |
| Distance to bird: | 30 meters to 150 meters |
| Optical equipment: | 20-60x Spotting Scope, 10X42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Calm, Partly Cloudy, Cold 10-15 Degree F |
| Light Conditions: | Good light. Partly cloudy much of time. |
| Description: Size of bird: | Very large gull. Much larger than Ring-billed Gulls near it. Larger than Herring Gull observed near the bird. |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Basic gull shape just much larger than usual |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Body and neck bright white, Back and back of wings very dark gray. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Gull-type bill. Very large bill. Red dot on lower mandible. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Very large gull. Observed the gull on shore sitting next to several Ring-billed
Gulls and a single Herring Gull. Bird was much larger than Ring-billed Gulls and
noticeably larger than Herring Gull. Large bill with red dot on lower mandible.
Bill larger in proportion than other gulls. Neck and body bright white. No
streaking/markings on neck. Top of wings and back very dark gray. White
dots/small areas on end of primaries. Legs pale pink. Iris appears dark pale. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | NA |
| Behavior: | Observed the gull sitting with several other gulls on the shore. Gulls flew onto water and sat for much of the time on the water. The gull was also observed flying over to a Common Goldeneye and attempted to catch it several times. The goldeneye would dive and when it popped up the gull would chase it until the goldeneye dove again. |
| Habitat: | Reservoir shoreline and open water. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Lesser black-backed Gull was first considered. The coloration was similar but the large bill, clean neck (no streaking) and larger size pointed to Great Black-backed Gull. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Observed Great Black-back Gulls along the Atlantic coast in Maine. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide to Birds |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Brian Maxfield |
| Observer's address: | HC65 Box 81, Altonah, Utah 84002 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Bryant Olsen, several others |
| Date prepared: | 1/14/2019 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: |