----- Original Message -----
From: Keith Carlson
To: inland nw birders
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 1:28 PM
Subject: Okay, I'll Try Again to Get a Gull ID


Last week at Swallows Park, Don Gayman and I saw and photographed a medium large white-headed gull similar to (likely the same bird) one reported by Terry Gray and Kirsten Dahl.
Our initial ID was Iceland Gull, kumliens sub-species.
Washington E Bird reviewers have not accepted this ID and have offered no alternative ID's.

This AM, I saw and photographed a similar bird (likely the same bird).
It is a medium to large white-headed gull.
It is an adult.
It is similar in size to California Gulls. This photo shows size http://www.flickr.com/photos/birddog/8513147055/in/photostream/

This photo shows eye color, head shape and bill size. http://www.flickr.com/photos/birddog/8514285500/in/photostream/

The bird has gray tipped primaries (folded) and pink legs and feet as shown here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/birddog/8514267362/in/photostream/
and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/birddog/8514264420/in/photostream/ This photo also shows wing projection.

This would indicate that it has a pink gape. http://www.flickr.com/photos/birddog/8513158825/in/photostream/


Gray tipped primaries (folded) eliminate Glaucous Gull which has white primaries.
Eye color is normally brown on Glaucous-winged Gulls, but apparently a very small number can have yellow- gold eyes.
The head shape appears too rounded for Glaucous-winged and the bill does not appear massive or long enough.

I welcome any/all comments.

Keith E. Carlson
Lewiston