Yesterday, during one of my all day Gulling excursions in coastal Queens, I came across a Gull (near 84th st. Rockaway Beach) that at this time could only be considered a "Thumlien's" meaning (for me) it appears to show traits consistent with both.
My first impression was this was an odd looking 1st Cycle Kumlien's Gull. In studying this bird, I thought features like the solidly dark-centered tertials looked more in line for Thayer's. To a lesser extent the scapulars and primaries were also (in my opinion) within the range of Thayer's. Although not as dark as I would have liked, the primary tips showed a narrow evenly whitish edging, consistent with Thayerish types. The tail pattern was the most intriguing. The fine patterning was very odd looking. A couple very of sharp minded Larophiles have looked at the few digiscope shots I shared and are at an impasse at what this Gull might be. Suggestions have ranged from Thayer's, Thayer's/Kumlien's and even considering parentage outside Kumlieni/Glaucoides. I have yet to download photos and do more in depth research but wanted to share with you all in case some of you might be interested. Below are three images that I shared. The tail spread was a screen shot from my camera. It might be that this is yet another one of those that does not get a label. Enjoy! https://flic.kr/p/NEvvtP https://flic.kr/p/NEvvuR https://flic.kr/p/NEvvv2 -------- "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." ~ Frederick Douglass 風 Swift as the wind 林 Quiet as the forest 火 Conquer like the fire 山 Steady as the mountain Sun Tzu The Art of War > (__/) > (= '.'=) > (") _ (") > Sent from somewhere in the field using my mobile device! Andrew Baksh www.birdingdude.blogspot.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
