Voting Comments
Thayer's Gull
Record #38-B-08
1st Round: 6-1
2nd Round: 3-4
3rd Round: 2-5
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3rd Round |
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7/5/09
same comments |
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07-02-2009
I'm staying with my 2nd round vote. |
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07-10-2009
I agree that cliff raises some legitimate questions on this one. |
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07-03-2009
I vote to reject this one because of nagging doubts about the possibility of a hybrid. |
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5 July 2009
I think that the very similar GWGUxHEGU hybrid is eliminated by the darker mantle color, smaller size and slenderer build of this bird in direct comparison to an adjacent HEGU. The dark orbital ring, lack of dark markings on bill, and smudging rather than streaking on head and neck, are also supportive of THGU. The primary pattern appears to fit THGU. This bird is not described as having bright pink legs, but some THGU do not. |
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7-18-09
torn on this one b/c I can see Cliff's points & wish it had been competed against a GW/hybrid but still think the bird was a Thayer's |
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07/09/2009
See previous comments |
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1st Round |
2nd Round |
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4/1/09 Cliff Weisse -- Reject, specific identification not established There are several points in the description that I don't feel comfortable with for THGU as follows: 1) Primaries extend "slightly beyond tail" on perched bird. THGU has long primary extension. 2) Darker pink legs than HEGU, but not bright; THGU typically has brighter pink legs than HEGU 3) Gray primaries; some THGUs (10-15 %?) have gray primaries but most are black 4) Mirrors on P9&10 mostly confined to inner webs of feathers; THGU typically has extensively white tip to P10 usually with subterminal black band. This white tip is extensive and covers most of the visible feather on the far side, or under side of the far wing, on perched birds and extends edge to edge. A mirror confined to the inner web would be quite unusual for THGU. 5) Narrow white tips on outer primaries; THGU has large white A-Spots All these features can be shown by GWGU x HEGU and I don't see anything in the description that would eliminate that possibility, especially a smaller more petite billed female. There are several GWGUs in Howell and Dunn that match the bill proportions in this description and one adult GWGU x HEGU with mirror on P10 confined mostly to inner web. This was likely a THGU but GWGU x HEGU cannot be ruled out based on the report. |
5/1/09
Same comments |
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04-02-2009
Very complete description and similar gulls were eliminated. |
05-15-2009
This is possibly a Thayer's but Cliff has brought up some good reasons for a possilbe hybrid. |
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04-06-2009
Careful observation and write-up. The size, shape, wing pattern, eye color all seem to add up to Thayer's. Nice to see comparison with nearby Herrings. |
06-27-2009
I still think this description is quite convincing. The silver under wing color and the color of the upper primaries sound like what I've seen and described as a Thayer's. |
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04-10-2009
I'm convinced. |
05-01-2009
Cliff made some excellent and compelling arguments for rejection on this one, and I'm going to follow his lead. |
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12 April 2009
The combination of head/bill structure, overall size, darker mantle color and underwing pattern convinced me of the id. |
21 June 2009
same comments as first round |
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4-15-09
I'm a little bothered by the primary tips being described as slate-gray (as opposed to black) but competition (other features) against an adult Kumlien's was helpful ... |
5-13-09
no change |
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4/28/2009
Sounds good. |
05-14-2009
Cliff brings up some good points and if a hybrid can't be safely ruled out I'd have to vote to reject. |