Folks

My favorite Gull guide is Gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia by Klaus 
Malling Olsen and Hans Larsson.  It has all of what the other guides have, 
and allot more.  It has excellent photos, many plates of illustration of 
standing and flying birds in all plumages, and excellent text and range 
maps.  I was a bit disappointed with the Howell and Dunn Peterson guide 
after I got it and compared it to the Olsen & Larsson guide.  The Harrison 
Seabird photographic guide images are small and the text and range maps are 
minimal.  It is the most portable but you are also carrying lots of non 
gulls in your pocket.  Any of the guides previously mentioned will be more 
than adequate for identifying one of the easier plumages like first cycle 
Glaucous Gull, but if you want to know much more about gulls in all aspects 
I suggest the Olsen and Larsson.

Olsen & Larsson is not a text you want to take to the landfill.  As Claudia 
Wilds always recommended, study your birds before you leave your house, and 
watch where you step when you get to the landfill.  Gulls are complicated 
but well worth the effort.

George

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Ender (home)" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 9:34 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Book advice - Gulls


>A kind benefactor has offered to increase my minimal bird book library by 
>one.  In reviewing some posts and pictures of glaucous gulls and the few 
>pictures in Sibley, it is clear that Sibley is not adequate for IDing all 
>the forms and variations.
>
> What would be a good field guide for eastern and/or US gulls?
>
> Thanks in advance for your advice.
>
> Gary Ender
> Bethesda MD