LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

     

1. English and Scientific names: Glaucous Gull, Larus hyperboreus

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

one - possibly 1st year

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Cameron________________

Specific Locality: _Calcasieu channel by Cameron ferry

4. Date(s) when observed: 4/29/2011 (seen by others on the 30th and May 1, 2)

5. Time(s) of day when observed:  6:15 PM

6. Reporting observer and address: Rosemary Seidler   rseidler@centenary.edu

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): many others the following day

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):  I was on the west side of the bird and it was in good light.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):  Swarowski 10X binoculars.

11. Distance to bird(s):100 ft at closest

12. Duration of observation: a little more than a minute – from the time it was a bit north of me until I couls no longer see it with binoculars

13. Habitat: flying over the water

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

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):  The sight of a very large white gull gets your attention. 

It was heavy bodied, appeared almost twice as large as the accompanying Laughing Gulls, under wings seemed totally white as did the rest of the bird.  Bill had dark tip, strong wingbeat.

16. Voice:

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

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

Sue Broussard got a photo from the ferry the next day – presumably the same bird.  Photo attached.  She may  submit a long form.

19. Previous experience with this species:  Seen twice before in Cameron, once in Grand Isle, Several times in California.

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

a. at time of observation: Sibley

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: __x (tape recorder)___ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _____memory.

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

23. Date:  05/09/2011__Time:__7 PM__