LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

Photos Below

     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.

1. English and Scientific names: Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus

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

3. Locality: Parish: ______________Terrebonne______________________________

Specific Locality: _______________West Raccoon Island______________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 2/17/12

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 9:30 am-12:30 pm

6. Reporting observer and address: Dan O’Malley 105 Victory St. Thibodaux, LA 70301

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

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 conditions. No shading. Bird was not backlit.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Kowa 76 mm scope 20-60X, Eagle optics rangers 8X42.

11. Distance to bird(s): As close as 18 m.

12. Duration of observation: Observed for 20-30 after initial observation. Also seen again about 2 hours later.

13. Habitat: Non-vegetated sandy barrier island.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): First observed flying onto “flats” in center of island, where it loafed. It then flew to the bay side of the island and began harassing a crippled Royal Tern. When later seen, it was loafing with Herring Gulls on the Gulf side of the island.

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): Distinctly larger than Herring Gulls. Bulky, large bi-colored bill, dark iris. All white plumage. Pink legs.

16. Voice: Did not vocalize.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): After initially being seen in flight it was obviously a wing-winged gull species, or maybe a leucistic gull. After being seen next to Herring Gulls, it was clearly larger and proportioned differently. It was also separated from Iceland Gull by size.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos taken by Dan O’Malley and are attached.

19. Previous experience with this species: None.

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

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: Sibley’s Birds of North America, Howell and Dunn’s Gulls of the Americas, Edward James Raynor.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_2/17/11 (ebird)____); __X___memory.

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

23. Date:___5/1/12_______Time:____0900___