01 July 2017

Monthly Notables June 2017

  • Thayer's Iceland Gull (1st cycle). Gambell, Alaska. 01 June 2017.
  • Franklin's Gull (2nd cycle type). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 02 June 2017.
  • Western Gull (adult). Sitka, Alaska. 02 June 2017.
    • First Summer Record.
  • Franklin's Gull (adult). Sitka, Alaska. 02 June 2017.
    • First Summer Record.
  • Black-headed Gull (2nd cycle). Northumberland County, Ontario. 04 June 2017.
  • Herring Gull (1st cycle). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 05 June 2017.
    • Apparent European Herring Gull. All flight feathers intact.
  • Common Gull (1st cycle). St. John's County, Newfoundland. 05 June 2017.
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle type). Clay County, Minnesota. 05 June 2017.
    • First county record.
  • Thayer's Iceland Gull (2nd cycle). Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. 05 June 2017.
  • Ivory Gull (1st cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 07 June 2017.
  • Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 07 June 2017.
  • Black-headed Gull (1st cycle). Nome County, Alaska. 07 June 2017.
  • Franklin's Gull (adult). Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 07 June 2017.
    • A different individual than that seen on 02 June 2017.
  • Glaucous Gull (3rd cycle type). Pinellas County, Florida. 09 June 2017.
  • Black-tailed Gull (1st summer). Nome Census Area, Alaska. 13 June 2017.
  • Laughing Gull (1st summer). Kearny County, Kansas. 16 June 2017.
    • First County Record.
  • Sabine's Gull (adult). Adams County, Washington. 16 June 2017.
  • California Gull (adult). Churchill & Manitoba County, Manitoba. 16 June 2017.
  • Little Gull (2nd cycle). St. Clair County, Michigan. 22 June 2017.

10 Species Day-list:
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. 05 June 2017.
Nome County, Alaska. 07 June 2017.
Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 07 June 2017.
Churchill & Manitoba County, Manitoba. 16 June 2017.


Notes:
Most notable this month is Thayer's Gull losing species rank with the AOS (28 June 2017). This taxon is now one of 3 subspecies of the Iceland Gull, Larus glaucoides thayeri.

Two adult Bonaparte's Gulls were observed near a gull colony in Raudasandur, Iceland. The observers report aggressive displays and flights, and hinted that the species is most likely nesting at the site. As of this summary (01 July 2017) no nest has been reported.

It appears Heermann's Gull has suffered another poor breeding season on Isla Rasa, Baja California. Over 100 adults were observed as far north as Vancouver by mid-June. Thus far only 3 juveniles have been reported this season. Observers are encouraged to carefully report ages seen in the field. One question to ponder is whether the number of 2nd cycle type birds has decreased - this may be an indirect way to census the previous year's young.

A dozen or so Lesser Black-backed Gulls - primarily subadults - spent the month scattered about the interior of the continent. Although this steady increase of summering Lessers is somewhat expected, the distribution is random and fragmented from year to year (most likely associated with available food sources).

An apparent Chandeleur Gull (American Herring x Kelp) was photographed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast on 21 June 2017. Plumage characteristics suggest a 4th cycle type.
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