3rd Round

7/22/09
Cliff Weisse--Reject, specific identification not established

same comments

08-01-2009
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm going to stick with my previous vote to reject this one.

08-26-2009
Sturts--Reject, specific identification not established

I'm on the fence with this one. This could be a Western Gull but but will stay on the side of caution and vote to rejct.

6 November 2009
Hardy--Accept

Lots of good points have been brought up in the previous rounds' comments, but I am still OK with this record.

07/22/2009
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

Same comments as first vote

8-9-09
Carlisle--Accept

I definitely see reason for caution & would like that the observed bird be competed against a hybrid WEGUxGWGU but observers experience with the species is convincing.

09-08-2009
Doug Ward--Accept

I remained convinced this was indeed a 3rd year Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). My basis is summarized in my prior voting comments and discussion notes.

1st Round

2nd Round

4/14/09
Weisse – Reject, specific identification not established

6/3/09
Cliff Weisse--Reject, specific identification not established

Western Gull is extremely rare away from the Pacific coast so caution is warranted here. The report states that the maximum bill width is 2x the eye diameter. WEGU has a massive, bulbous ended bill. 2x the eye diameter just doesn't work and suggests the possibility of Slaty-backed. This alone is enough to eliminate the possibility of a pure WEGU, and it certainly does not eliminate Slaty-backed from consideration.

04-17-2009
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

To me, the gull described here was more likely an "Olympic" Gull or Western Gull X Glaucous-winged Gull hybrid.

06-06-2009
Dave Trochlell--Reject, specific identification not established

I remain convinced that this gull is not a "pure" Western Gull.

04-18-2009
Sturts--Accept

Description fits that of the Western Gull and other gulls are eliminated.
Observer is familiar with the species on the coast.

07-02-2009
Sturts--Reject, specific identification not established

After reading reading the comments from Cliff, Dave and Doug, I have decided to change my vote not to accept. I agree that we need to be conservative in accepting Western Gull records due to the rarity of their wandering inland and the strong possibility of hybrids.

26 April 2009
Hardy--Accept

Structure/plumage consistent with Western, black primaries eliminates GW hybrid. I am puzzled by the contrasting dark lesser coverts, but that does not suggest an alternate identification.

31 May 2009
Hardy--Accept

I think the possibility of a GW hybrid is eliminated by the dark primaries. Reporter specifically competed this bird with Slaty-backed, and the reference photos I have of 2nd year Slaty-backs do show light-colored primaries with just the tips dark. I am voting to accept again.

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

Observer doesn't eliminate the possibility of a Western x Glaucous-winged Gull, which would be just as likely and could look like the bird described.

07/09/2009
Darren Clark--Reject, specific identification not established

Same comments as previous

5-13-09
Carlisle--Accept

though not competed, I see nothing to suggest a hybrid with Glaucous-winged

7-18-09
Carlisle--Accept

no change from 1st round and observer's experience with spp. on coast helps

05-27-2009
Doug Ward--Accept

Combination of size, bill size/structure, eye/leg color, blackish primaries and tail band, and apparently unambiguous dark grey “back” coloration all point to this being a full Western Gull (Larus occidentalis). Good bird.

07-06-2009
Doug Ward--Accept

After further review and discussion of this record, along with additional research primarily focusing on plumage variability within the Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) species for this aged bird, I’m sticking with my initial accept vote. This conclusion is based on the previously mentioned characteristics coupled with the realization that Western’s can exhibit fairly extensive head smudging in their 3rd year.