LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

one bird in non-breeding plumage with vestiges of 1st-winter collar and eye smudge but no juv black in wing.

3. Locality: Parish: Cameron

Specific Locality: East Broussard Beach, at western border before becoming “Broussard Beach” in Audubon Coastal Bird Survey transects. GPS location 29.7754, -93.213699.

4. Date(s) when observed:

April 22, 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

12:08pm to 12:26pm.

6. Reporting observer and address:

Molly Richard, Lafayette LA 70506

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Patti Holland, Angela Trahan

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

Bird observed in direct overhead sunlight in partly cloudy conditions. Light good and not too harsh.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

Nikon 10X42 Premier binoculars, and Canon EOS Rebel T3 fitted with a Canon 75-300mm zoom lens at full zoom.

11. Distance to bird(s):

30 yards initially, 20 yards during loafing observation/photos, and 30 feet during fly-by.

12. Duration of observation:

Sixteen minutes, leaving bird loafing on beach.

13. Habitat:

Open beach between high-tide/shell line and heavy wrack line on upper beach - photos.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

First spotted resting on beach with tucked head, separated from main gull flock by 40 feet. Bird lifted head and was observed/photographed with head up as well as tucked in. After 15 minutes, startled by my presence outside of the vehicle, the bird flew along beach over breakers past us and landed about 25 yards behind us. Bird resumed loafing as we departed after another minute of observation.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):

One gull, separate from flock, on dark, short legs. Compared with LAGU, bird was lighter - whitish head and light grey mantle evident. Expected to see Bonaparte’s gull and, when gull lifted head from underneath wing, immediately noticed smudge up-&-behind eye and light colored bill. Pulled vehicle closer to bird to within 20 yards and could easily see bill was light yellow-green bill (not golden yellow), with dark eye and dark legs.

16. Voice:

No vocalizations.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

Bonaparte’s gull eliminated by larger, down-pointed yellow bill, larger size of bird, different head-smudge pattern.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

107 photos taken during observation, 11 photos attached of bird loafing, resting head down, in flight and landing.

19. Previous experience with this species:

In Nova Scotia and, most recently, in Cape May NJ post-Hurricane-Sandy in October 2012 as storm-driven birds departed Delaware Bay.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

Sibley Field Guide to Birds, The Crossley ID Guide (Eastern Birds)

a. at time of observation:

Sibley Field Guide to Birds.

b. after observation:

Sibley Field Guide to Birds, The Crossley ID Guide (Eastern Birds)

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_X_notes made after the observation (date: 4/22/2014); _____memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain:

Positive of identification.

23. Date:__4/22/2014_Time:__8:30pm_

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