LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

     This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.

English and Scientific names: Black-legged Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla

Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1, first-winter

Parish: Cameron

Specific Locality: Calcasieu Ship Channel at Cameron Ferry crossing (mainly west side of channel)

Date(s) when observed: 23 December 2010 (also 21 December 2010 from 100+ m distance)

Time(s) of day when observed: Approx. 1115 and 1530 CST

Reporting observer and address: Robert C. Dobbs

LaVerkin, UT

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Meribeth Huizinga, Paul Conover, and Dave Patton

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Discovered on Sabine CBC, 19 December 2010, by Steve Cardiff and Donna Dittmann

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Observed bird under bright cloudy sky (morning) and clear blue sky (afternoon)

Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski 8x30 binoculars

Distance to bird(s): As close as 3 m

Duration of observation: Total of approx. 20 min

Habitat: ship channel

Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Flying/foraging with Laughing Gulls, and resting alone on water.

Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: Similar to Laughing Gull in size (direct comparison). Conspicuous bold, black half-collar. Conspicuous bold, black M pattern on upper wings in flight (formed by black lesser coverts and outer primaries) contrasts strongly with whitish trailing edge of wing and inner primaries and with gray forewing, scapulars, and mantle. Small black bill; black legs. Black terminal band on otherwise white tail.

Voice: Not vocal.

Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Hooded gulls that show black M upper-wing pattern (Little, Bonaparte’s, and Black-headed gulls) lack black half-collar of Black-legged Kittiwake, and are generally smaller. Upper-wing pattern of Sabine’s Gull superficially similar, but does not include full black M pattern, and Sabine’s also lacks black half-collar.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by Robert C. Dobbs (attached)

Previous experience with this species: Seen only one before, also a first-winter individual.

Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): Sibley Guide to Birds consulted after observation.

This description is written from: Photos

Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Positive

Date/Time: 17 January 2011, 1431