1st Round

2nd Round

4/1/09
Cliff Weisse -- Accept

This is a difficult record.  Dan does an excellent job describing this individual and it's an intriguing bird.  Primary extension is described as 1-2 inches but I'm not sure how you would measure that on a bird in the field.  One inch seems short, two inches seems like it's approaching typical Iceland primary extension but I don't feel that this evaluation is useful to the identification.  I'm also troubled by some aspects of the description.  The bill is said to be "long", which suggests Glaucous or at least Glaucous influence.  The dusky base of the lower mandible (maxilla) is not unexpected for hybrids.  The white primaries with no markings at all is unusual in kumlieni, the expected race in western North America.  Upperwing coverts described as tan with darker "marbling" is not typical of Iceland and more typical for hybrids. 

I'm usually hesitant to put a lot of stock in details of field sketches but I can't ignore the fact that several aspects of Dan's sketches are compelling.  The written description says the eye is large and Dan places it well forward on the head in his sketch.  The legs are very short even though this is not mentioned in his written details and the rounded chest with long, attenuated rear end and legs set well forward under the bird (a lot more body behind the legs than in front) match Iceland (and Thayer's) very well.  I looked at several of his other sketches and they are different regarding leg length so I'm inclined to believe that he drew it as he saw it.  This documentation is thorough and I'm convinced

5/1/09
Cliff Weisse--Accept

Same comments

04-02-2009
Sturts--Accept

This is an impressive report and I agree with Dan Svingen's identification.

04-30-2009
Sturts--Accept

Same comments as round 1

04-04-2009
chuck trost--Accept

I feel that Dan Svingen was very careful in his description, and his observations do not fit Thayer's Gull as i know it. I understand why Van Remsen is so cautious, but he is wrong about the tail, and using his criteria, nobody could identify an Iceland gull in the field.

06-27-2009
chuck trost--Accept

The description of this bird convinces me that it was not a Thayer's.

04-06-2009
Dave Trochlell--Accept

Dan's description was thorough and convincing.

05-01-2009
Dave Trochlell--Accept

I'm still convinced that the ID was correct on this one.

11 April 2009
Hardy--Accept

Pale primaries and structure eliminate other similar candidates.

21 June 2009
Hardy--Accept

same comments as first round

4-15-09
Carlisle--Accept

convincing description

5-7-09
Carlisle--Accept

no change from 1st round

4/28/2009
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

This was a tough one. As are all of these Iceland/Thayer's records. I hesitantly vote to reject largely based on Dr. Remsen's comments.

05-14-2009
Darren Clark--Accept

After further research and reading the comments by others, I am changing my vote to accept.