Posted by Neal on September 17, 2003 at 14:18:27:
In Reply to: Re: Glaucous Gull? posted by John Boyd on September 17, 2003 at 09:28:35:
Thank you John, for pointing out the possibility that my posting is lacking from a informational standpoint and that its not that I'm just not a member of the "club". As far as the information is concerned. My first thought as I came upon it was Herring and I have seen many. It seemed bigger though, stockier at least as big. Then as I got really close the all white was the most distinquishing characteristic. I have never seen a "sun-bleached" Herring, though. The other birds that were in the area were terns feeding on a weedline. This bird was much larger than any of them. I got a good look at the bird in the water as I got within 10 yards and noted completely white with no other identifiable field marks from that ditance. As it lifted from the water I noted the underside of the wings with grayish, barish, markings running roughly parallel to the body. I am not very good with gulls in general and was only sure that I had never seen one with these characterstics. Hence the question. Body size I would have put it nearly as big as a d.c. commorant,but rounder and smaller than the brown boobys I see offshore frequently. Ofcourse none of them being in the same place at this time makes my observation only a good quess. As far as Thayer's or Iceland either would be a lifer for me and I certaining didn't see it well enough to distinquish between those two.
I know whatever it was I can't add it to my list but I'm hoping to at least get to the point where I can say " I had a possible Glaucous in September off Miami In '03." Thank again.