Posted by Carol on November 04, 2002 at 20:54:57:
This picture has nothing to do with South Florida but the lessons learned, practiced, and shared are important. This is a Sabine's Gull that I noticed on a recent trip to Yellowstone. The birds conduct described in a post below were so unusual as to draw my attention. I had learned from my mentors if the conduct is out of the ordinary investigate. I am used to seeing gulls hovering overhead, standing on boat moorings and the like. This gull was doing that. I noted the field markings and then photographed it for absolute confirmation. Through the efforts of the TAS, Sibley, Thayers, Petterson and finally Terry McEneaney chief ornithologist at Yellowstone National National Park the bird was confirmed as a Sabin'e Gull. And what's more, only twenty sightings are on record at the Park. Now there are 21 and a picture to boot. Says Terry "Sabine's Gulls in Yellowstone are still relatively rare to
date. There are probably less than 20 records for YNP for this species. However, they seem to occur atleast every other year."
So I learned to look sharp, have a good field guide, cross check with another source, come to the TAS board for help, ask the on-site expert when in doubt and most importantly share with TAS group the best data and photograph possible since one day they may see one down here.