01 December 2021

November 2021 Monthly Notables

Sightings:

  • Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). El Paso County, Texas. 05 November 2021.
  • Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). McLean County, North Dakota. 06 November 2021.
    • 4th State Record. 
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult). Calgary County, Alberta. 06 November 2021.
  • California Gull (adult). Galveston County, Texas. 09 November 2021.
  • Ross's Gull (adult). Alberni-Clayoquot District, British Columbia. 09 November 2021.
  • Black-legged Kittiwake (2 1st cycles). Cook County, Illinois. 09 November 2021.
  • Great Black-backed Gull (adult). Pueblo County, Colorado. 10 November 2021.
    • Believed the same adult now back for the 28th winter!
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st cycle). Central Okanagan District, BC. 13 November 2021.
  • Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile). Sarasota County, Florida. 14 November 2021.
  • Slaty-backed Gull (adult). Ottawa County, Ontario. 14 November 2021.
    • Continuing 1st Ottawa County record from last month. 
  • Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). San Bernardino County, California. 15 November 2021.
    • September bird from Arizona, now also being seen on the other side of the river.
  • Black-legged Kittiwake (2nd cycle type). Reeves County, Texas. 16 November 2021.
  • Slaty-backed Gull (4th cycle type). Escambia County, Florida. 16 November 2021.
    • 2nd State Record. 
  • Kamchataka Gull (adult). La Haute-Cote-Nord County, Quebec. 17 November 2021.
  • Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). Mohave County, Arizona. 19 November 2021.
    • Continuing 2nd State Record from September. 
  • California Gull (adult). Essex County, Ontario. 20 November 2021.
  • Slaty-backed Gull (3rd cycle type). Sonoma County, California. 21 November 2021. 
  • California Gull (1st cycle). Algoma District, Ontario. 21 November 2021.
  • Yellow-footed Gull (1st cycle). De Baca County, New Mexico. 21 November 2021.
    • Continuing 1st State Record from September. 
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle). Los Angeles County, California. 22 November 2021.
  • Ross's Gull (1st cycle)*. Washington & Dakota County, Minnesota. 27 November 2021.
    • 4th State Record. 2nd County Records.
  • Ross's Gull (1st cycle). Pierce County, Wisconsin. 27 November 2021.
    • Same individual from MN. 
  • Glaucous-winged Gull (2nd cycle)*. Simcoe County, Ontario. 27 November 2021.
  • Little Gull (adult). Davis County, Utah. 28 November 2021.
  • California Gull (adult). Dare County, North Carolina. 29 November 2021.
  • Heermann's Gull (3rd cycle)*. Virginia Beach County, Virginia. 29 November 2021.
    • Continuing Atlantic Coast Bird.
  • Heermann's Gull (1st cycle)*. Hopewell County, Virginia. 29 November 2021.
    • Now molting tail and inner secondary feathers. 


Notes:

 1. Benjamin Douglas found a 1st cycle Ross's Gull in Washington County, Minnesota on 27 November 2021. The bird was also seen in Dakota County, MN and across the river in Pierce County, Wisconsin, allowing many observers a two-state tick. As is often the case with these vagrant Arctic gulls, the bird started showing signs of lethargy on the 29th. It was retrieved on the morning of the 30th and expired in transit to a rehab center. 

2. Justin Peter found an apparent 2nd cycle Glaucous-winged Gull in Simcoe County, Ontario on 27 November 2021. This individual has upperparts that are slightly on the dark side, but still within range for this highly variable age group. Knowing the complexities of Glaucous-winged hybrids, Justin had the foresight to collect a "fresh" excrement sample. This would be Ontario's second record, pending review. 

3. Two lingering Heermann's Gulls were seen throughout the month in Virginia. These cooperative birds, a 1st cycle and a 3rd cycle are being seen nearly 80 miles apart.