13 February 2014

Whiting Redux: 09 Feb 2014

I spent a few hours on the beach at the BP Refinery on Sunday. Things quickly picked up with 5-6 Thayer's, 2 Kumlien's (1st and 2nd cycles) a Lesser Black-backed (2nd cycle) and ~ 8 Glaucous and 20 Great Black-backeds.

Most interesting was the advanced 3rd cycle to near-adult type Thayer's. I've seen many 3rd cycle Thayer's this year that look nearly adult, but there's always something that gives it away: be it a dull bill with black subterminal markings, or extensive pigmentation to the wingtips.