Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Glaucous Gull

Reporter: Cliff Weisse, 4125 Beaver Springs Rd., Island Park, ID 83429, 208-558-7789, cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

Other Observers: Lisa Weisse

Date of Observation: 12/13/2003

Date Report Prepared: 11/13/2006

Locality of Observation: Ada County/Hidden Hollow Landfill

Habitat: Garbage Dump

Did you take notes…

           No

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?

            not at all

Description (from photo): Large gull in first winter plumage.  Larger than all Herring Gulls present.  Slightly smaller than Great Black-backed Gull in direct comparison.  Overall whitish with limited fine brownish flecks on wing coverts, scapulars, and tertials.  Primaries white.  Bill pink with sharply demarcated black tip.  Iris dark.  Legs pink.  Body very deep/bulky with short rear end.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they?

All large gulls have darker primaries except Glaucous and Iceland.  Iceland is easily eliminated by size and bicolored bill.

Experience with this species: I've seen five or six first winter Glaucous Gulls.

General experience birding:

13 years

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you?

yes