LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Iceland Gull, Larus glaucoides

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

1 first-year

3. Locality: Parish: St. Tammany

Specific Locality: Lake Pontchartrain at Bayou Castine along Mandeville Lakefront.

4. Date(s) when observed: 23, 25, 28 November 2013; 7 December 2013; 1 January 2014

5. Time(s) of day when observed: usually before 7 am on most days of observation; afternoon on 7 December 2013.

6. Reporting observer and address: Christopher G. Brantley, Mandeville, LA 70448; cell number 985-237-5399

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): John Sevenair on 23 November 2013 after initial observation

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): Adequate.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): B&L Elite 10x42 in good condition

11. Distance to bird(s): 5 - 50 feet

12. Duration of observation: Initially about 15 minutes and in subsequent visits less than 5 minutes

13. Habitat: Lakeshore/Developed shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): On initial date of observation, bird flew in from open lake with 2 Ring-billed Gulls and perched on concrete jetty before sunrise. Several minutes later, the three birds flew and landed within feet of my location to feed on fish/crab parts left on a wooden courtesy pier next to a small boat launch. On other dates of observation, observed the bird come to food usually in association with Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls.

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): Bird noticeably larger than associated Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls. Pale with brown spots or streaks on back and wings. Primaries whitish and no tail banding noted. Bill appeared dark, but lighter towards base.

16. Voice: Single hoarse shriek.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Herring and Thayer’s darker overall with dark primaries; Glaucous Gull larger in size.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by Christopher G. Brantley and John Sevenair taken on 23 November 2013 sent by separate email.

19. Previous experience with this species: none.

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

a. at time of observation: Sibley

b. after observation: Audubon, Sibley, National Geographic

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__X___notes made after the observation (date: 23 November 2013); _____memory.

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

23. Date: 17 February 2014 Time: 9:35 pm