gull help, gull workshop & sightings
Warblerick@aol.com
Sun, 28 Feb 1999 09:47:30 EST
To all MDOspreyers who know gulls and their (confusing) terminology: I have a
question that needs clarification. Lots has been written lately about the Kelp
Gull and gulls in general here, and I have been slowly absorbing information
little by little. The Montgomery County chapter of MOS even had a gull
workshop (which I attended) yesterday at PWRC visitor center, well led by Mike
Bowen, and though still confused, I am getting a handle on these birds.
However, while reading about the Kelp Gull, folks have been using the term P10
to indicate the location of the "mirror" on the outermost primary feather. The
LOS article on KelpXHerring Gulls even states that "the ten primaries ... are
numbered backwards from the outermost feather (=#10; contra Grant)..."
In looking through both Grant's GULLS A Guide to Identification 2nd ed. and
Harrison's SEABIRDS, they number the primaries 1-10 starting with the
OUTERMOST feather (not the other way around) which would mean that the
"mirror" on the Kelp Gull would be on P1 , not P10. I am confused by this
contradiction in terminology. Would someone please help to clarify? Rick Blom,
Gene Scarpulla, George Jett?? Lots of gull experts out there. Even so, I did
enjoy seeing the Kelp Gull last Saturday, and it was a great introduction to
our workshop yesterday. They are certainly a confusing group!
Also out at Lake Redington yesterday besides the few species of gulls
present(Herring, Ring-billed and Greater Black-backed) we had 21 Common Snipe,
many Killdeer and a single Lesser Yellowlegs on the drained lakebed which
feeds Lake Redington, as well as 2 Bald Eagles (1 adult, 1 immature) and 2
American Tree Sparrows.
Thanks in advance for any help with my question. After yesterdays workshop, I
have a renewed appreciation for these birds, and will now start to look at
them (even in parking lots) instead of ignoring them! I can't imagine warblers
being my favorite group of birds if they went through all the changing
plumages as the gulls. Thankfully, they don't!
Warblerick@aol.com
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD