Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

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:


Iceland Gull, Laurus glaucoides

 

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

 

One, first winter bird.

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

St. Tammany Parish, Lake Ponchartrain Lakefront at termination of Lakefront Road at Mandeville Yacht Club.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

November 30, 2013

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

9:50-10:10 AM CST

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

 

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

 

Michael Musumeche, Kevin Leigh, Cecil Tarver, Judith O’Neale, and Joseph Vallee.

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

Various – Chris Brantley, Van Remsen, and many others.

 

  1. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Clear, mid-morning. Bird seen variously in good light and poor light – glare.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars – good condition.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

75 m to 3 m.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

20 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Small boat harbor. Lake Ponchartrain. Low salinity location. Break water structures and sea wall.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

Bird was in the company of numerous Laughing Gulls and a few Ring-billed Gulls. It came to observers to seek chum – bread. It behaved like any other panhandling gull. It landed on the sea wall and approached observers seeking bread. Flew to the distant sea wall when food was not available and then returned when food was offered. It landed in water just off the sea wall from time to time.

 

  1. 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):

 

This was a well reported, staked out bird. It was a large gull, at least 1/3 larger than the Laughing Gulls. It was an overall white color with a gray “plaid” pattern on the body. Head was rounded. Eye was dark. Bill was black, short and stout. Legs and feet were pink.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Could not detect the bird calling.

 

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

 

Apparently similar to first year Glaucous Gull but Glaucous Gull is much larger and the yellow bill has a black tip.

 

  1. Photos/Recordings:

 

Photos will be submitted to LBRC.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

Some years ago, I saw an Iceland Gull at some distance at Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada.

 

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

 

    1. at time of observation: National Geographic Field Guide.

 

    1. after observation: Sibley’s Field Guide and Peterson’s Field Guide.

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_notes made during the observation (notes attached?); __notes made after the observation; __x_ memory. [Cannot find field notes. Will modify this report if/when those notes found.]

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

 

I am as certain as I can be based on the opinions of learned ornithologists who reported the bird’s presence and described it.

 

  1. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ 8:25 PM Dec. 3, 2013