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Posted by Jay Withgott on 13:20:53 08/05/08
In Reply to: Possible KELP GULL or other BB Gull at Cutler Wetlands posted by Jay Withgott
Thanks to John Boyd for checking out this gull, to Larry Manfredi for his comments, and to John Hutchison for the kind words. (And I wish I'd remembered you lived down here now, John; I would definitely have looked you up!).
As to the size of the bird, I should have been more clear that "30%" was a pretty rough estimate, and that mostly the size and shape of the bill seemed too great to me for LBBG. However, I have no personal experience with Kelp Gull at all, and without a scope and in the midst of Laughing Gulls, perhaps the bill size seemed greater than it was. I'm glad John B. was able to check it out, and I'd welcome hearing from anyone else who sees the bird or who has experience with or tips for differentiating these species.
Thanks for this informative and easy-to-use BirdBoard, everyone -- it's a nice help to visitors like me. Besides the birds at Cutler, other highlights of my brief trip were Least Bittern and my first ABA-Area Limpkin (a yawning gap long waiting to be filled!), both at the Anhinga Trail, and nice heard & seen Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
Good birding, all.
Jay Withgott, Portland, OR
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