LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: California Gull (Larus californicus)

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

One presumed third-basic (?) bird

3. Locality: Parish: _East Baton Rouge______________________________

Specific Locality: _West Irene Rd at EBR Landfill_____________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 6 March 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 10:00-10:30am (approx)

6. Reporting observer and address: Daniel Lane, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Matt Brady, Ryan Terrill, Van Remsen, John Mittermeier, Michael Plauche

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): Overcast, occasional drizzle

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Leica 25-50x scope, Zeiss 10x42 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): about 100-150m

12. Duration of observation: approx 20 min

13. Habitat: concrete-sided settling pond near landfill

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): The bird was first spotted by Matt Brady as it took off and flew over resting birds at flanks of pool. Eventually, it dropped back to the concrete to rest, and remained still for the remainder of the observation period.

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):\

A medium-sized gull (considerably larger than the Ring-bills around it, but not quite Herring-sized) with slightly longer yellow bill with blackish ring more distal and narrower than on Ring-billed. Brownish mottling on back of neck was darker than is typical on Ring-bill, feet greenish. In flight, the outermost two primaries had white disks nearly at their tips, and a little dark mottling was seen on the tips of some rectrices (so it was not an adult bird), but otherwise wing pattern was adult-like.

16. Voice: None heard.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Greenish legs, bill structure, and size eliminated Herring. Larger size, wingtip pattern, bill size and structure and direct comparison eliminated Ring-billed. No other likely gulls are similar.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Yes I took several photos (attached).

19. Previous experience with this species: Most of the observers (including me) had extensive previous experience with California Gull in the western US.

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

a. at time of observation: None.

b. after observation: None.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __X__memory.

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

23. Date: 6 March 2014__Time:__3:45__