|
English and Scientific names: |
California Gull (Larus
californicus)
|
|
Number of individuals: |
1 adult in basic plumage |
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Locality: LOUISIANA: |
Orleans |
|
Specific Locality: |
Observed on Lake Ponchartrain shoreline from levee on
Hayne Blvd., ca. 3 miles NE of New Orleans Lakefront Airport, near Little
Woods subdivision(intersection with Hayne Blvd. unclear due to extensive
hurricane damage and no street signs) |
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Date(s) when observed: |
18 February 2006 |
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Time(s) of day when
observed: |
~0815h (~8:15am) |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Devin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA 70808 |
|
Other observers accompanying reporter who also
identified the bird(s): |
Justin Bosler |
|
Light
conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount
of light): |
Moderate lighting,
overcast sky with light showers |
|
Optical equipment: |
Nikon monarch ATB,
Nikon venturer EL |
|
Distance to
bird(s): |
ca. 100 meters |
|
Duration of
observation: |
2 minutes |
|
Habitat: |
Shoreline of large body
of brackish water |
|
Behavior of bird: |
Resting at first, then
in flight moving away down the lakefront |
|
Description: |
Medium-sized gull,
slightly larger than Ring-billed, smaller than Herring, light slate-gray
mantle(several shades darker than Ring-billed Gull), longer bill appearance,
dark iris(determined through only binoculars), pale yellowish legs, primaries
not seen well due to bad weather conditions |
|
Voice: |
N/A |
|
Similar
species: |
Mantle coloration much
darker than that of Ring-billed Gull, considerably larger than accompanying
Ring-billed Gulls, adult Ring-billed Gulls show a pale iris as opposed to
this birds dark iris(although not scrutinized through a scope) |
|
Photographs
or tape recordings obtained? |
No, uncooperative bird
and rainy conditions |
|
Previous
experience with this species: |
limited experience(seen
birds in California only, but have been subjected to much gull ID experience
in northeast |
|
Identification aids: |
at time of
observation: Sibley's Guide to
Birds, Gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia |
|
This description is written from: |
Mental notes taken
during observation and memory(seen during a big day attempt, so the gull was
not tracked down, etc.) |
|
Are
you positive of your identification? If not, explain: |
Yes(for the limited
observation time) |
|
Reporter: |
Devin Bosler
|
|
Date and time: |
19 February 2006 |