Greetings,

As noted by others, the Slaty-backed was again present this afternoon at the
Cedar River Mouth. Otherwise I dubbed this afternoon the "Revenge of the
Hybrids". The diversity of gulls with mixed lineage was staggering. With
the caveat that absolute certainty is at a premium when dealing with Larus
gulls, to the following list is what was present this afternoon.

1 adult Slaty-backed
1 1st cycle "Nelson's Gull"- Herring x Glaucous-winged hybrid
3 Glaucous x Glaucous-winged hybrids- The 1 cycle bird that has been around
for the past week plus another similar 1st cycle bird and a rather striking
3rd cycle.
1 2nd cycle Thayer's/Kumlien's hybrid or intergrade or intermediate
depending on your taxonomy and point-of-view. Same bird as yesterday. A
photo of this interesting bird can be seen on Charlie's website:
http://flickr.com/photos/potoo/
2 Glaucous Gulls- the 2nd cycle found yesterday and the wretched 1st cycle
bird that Matt Bartels alluded to in his post. When I arrived Matt and
Kraig Kemper had already found this bird and asked for my opinion. With
only a quick look at the head of the bird I proclaimed it to be an Iceland
Gull, an incredibly stupid thing to do. I was thrill since ICGU is my most
wanted Washington bird and I settled in to get good definitive looks at the
bird, another incredibly stupid thing to do. After a few minutes the bird
raised its head again and I immediately had a sinking feeling in my stomach.
After watching the bird for quite a while and studying some photos once
got home I am as close to certain as it is possible to be with weird Larus
that it was a Glaucous Gull. The bird same many structural similarities to
the controversial Kent gull from last year (or "Bob" as I am told he was
called. The similarities immediately earned today's bird the moniker "Bob
Jr.".) It seemed very slightly larger than "Bob" with slightly longer bill,
but actually had noticeably longer wing projection beyond the tail. Once I
really looked at the bird it was clear that several thing were wrong for
Iceland.
-The bird was just too white, the tertails and tail were almost pure white,
not covered with coarse vermiculations.
-The bill pattern was classic for Glaucous, deep pink at the base with a
sharply defined black tip. While some ICGU can show this pattern they
rarely look so cleanly two-toned.
-It constantly drooped the tips of its secondaries below the greater coverts
forming what is referred to as a "secondary skirt". A characteristic often
seen on larger gulls, especially Western, Glaucous-winged and similar
species, and sometimes on Glaucous and Great Black-backed, but rarely on
smaller species.
-Where the eye was located in the face, the overall shape of the head, and
the "expression" of the face all indicated Glaucous.
I really enjoyed seeing this bird. It was another reminder of how little I
really understand about the limitless variability shown by large gulls.
Even after years of studying these things, I still see birds that blown my
mind every time I go out. However I'm afraid the presents of a second "Bob"
and the prospect that it could return to this area for years may be enough
to drive poor Charlie to the bottle!

Congratulations to Kraig Kemper who caught up to the Slaty-backed to unblock
a "Blocker" as British twitchers would say. Also to Matt Bartels for
spotting the Slaty-backed and adding a few more last minute species to his
record King Co big year.


Happy New Year!

Cameron Cox

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Dave vs. Carl: The Insignificant Championship Series. Who will win?
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