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Subject:

Salisbury 'Glaucous' was a Nelson's Gull

From:

Bill Hubick

Reply-To:

Bill Hubick

Date:

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 16:25:47 -0800

Hi Everyone,
 
After posting last weekend's report and photos of the FRANKLIN'S and GLAUCOUS GULLs at the Salisbury Landfill, I received several messages regarding the nominate GLAUCOUS photos. I had originally been troubled by what appeared to be dark primaries, but after photographing the bird's clean underwing, decided it must be natural variation. I hadn't considered NELSON'S GULL (Glaucous x Herring hybrid). I found the case very convincing, but decided to post the photos to ID Frontiers to gather as much feedback as possible. The overwhelming consensus supports the identification as Nelson's Gull.
 
Although not a standard "tick", I'm just as happy to find something unusual and to learn more about the bizarre world of gulls!
 
Photos are still posted at <http://billhubick.com/new_set.html> - the 8th and 9th shots down - if you'd like to check them out. As Matt Hafner pointed out, you can still see the dark primaries in the lower photo, on the far wing. You can compare a "proper" Glaucous Gull here: <http://billhubick.com/photos/birds/glaucous_gull.html>.
 
Thanks to everyone who provided the great feedback!

Bill
 
Bill Hubick
Elkridge, MD

http://www.billhubick.com/