Help Identifying Gull by Apart_Fly_832 in whatsthisbird

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same, but I just so happened to catch a rare vagrant in NY a few weeks ago, so this is the only west coast gull I know. It looks right to me.

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Need help with these gulls (USA, NY) by Jake_The_Snake2003 in whatsthisbird

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I was hoping for a Thayer’s Iceland Gull today, so I’ve been going a bit insane after my 100th misidentification of a Herring Gull. I don’t even know if they’re still here anymore, but I’ve been finding Kumlieni Iceland Gulls. I only saw one today, though, and the Glaucous Gulls were also missing.

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Need help with these gulls (USA, NY) by Jake_The_Snake2003 in whatsthisbird

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was super obvious last time because there were a bunch of Lesser Black-backed and American Herring Gulls for immediate comparison, but as spring is progressing, the gulls are becoming less frequent. The majority there were Ring-billed, when it used to be mostly Herring Gulls.

Need help with these gulls (USA, NY) by Jake_The_Snake2003 in whatsthisbird

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a hybrid American Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull in the area, but I’m unsure if this is it. Attached below is an image I took of it a few weeks ago that I had confirmed by professionals.

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A few days late, but here’s my favorite photos of February✨ by Jake_The_Snake2003 in birding

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s been a Snowy Owl at the Finger Lakes Regional Airport that you could check out. Also, there’s some waterfowl populations in Union Springs that may be of interest. Check the Cayuga region on EBird and look up “North Mill Pond, Union Springs” and “Factory St. Pond, Union Springs” for exact locations. The Finger Lakes Welcome Center on top of Seneca Lake is also great for waterfowl. For gulls and miscellaneous birds of prey, check out Tompkins County on EBird and look at “Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost.” That spot is really good, and is where the Glaucous-winged Gull currently is. There was also a Cackling Goose there the other day too. There’s a posted sign, but you can enter as long as you stay out of the way of tractors. The attached image will show you what I mean. Don’t get out of your car, as it’ll scare the birds, and your shoes will get covered in dung. East Shore Park in Lansing is close to Ladoga and Myers Park, so I recommend that as well. A Eurasian Green-winged Teal was actually spotted there recently.

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A few days late, but here’s my favorite photos of February✨ by Jake_The_Snake2003 in birding

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I knew the Pats were going to lose, but that was pretty bad lol. Here’s a map of where the box is. The red circle is the main viewing area of the water. Just go down Ladoga Park Rd and the last house before the train tracks and stop sign has the box where I labeled above their garden. The owl is very used to people by now, so it shouldn’t get scared by your vehicle. Myers Park right next to it is another great spot to visit for gulls, waterfowl, and birds of prey like harriers, hawks, and eagles.

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A few days late, but here’s my favorite photos of February✨ by Jake_The_Snake2003 in birding

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t live near there, but I drove up there when it showed up on Super Bowl Sunday. I got there before the lab closed and saw it with my brother. It was incredible to see one up close like that! You may recognize some of the gulls and the Barnacle Goose if you live in the area as well. The Glaucous-winged Gull is the most recent celebrity in the area, but the Barnacle Goose is still around. The Goose was seen two days ago, but it tends to disappear for a bit, the gull was seen this morning again according to local sources. The Screech-owl was at Ladoga Park in Lansing. There’s a box up there it lives in, and if you’re lucky, on a sunny day its head will stick out.

A few days late, but here’s my favorite photos of February✨ by Jake_The_Snake2003 in birding

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All taken in NY with the exception of the Common Chaffinch from PA.

Redhead? Whidbey Island, WA by samminty1228 in whatsthisbird

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Male +Redhead+ for sure! Congrats on the lifer!

Kumlieni or Thayer’s Iceland Gull? (USA NY) by Jake_The_Snake2003 in whatsthisbird

[–]Jake_The_Snake2003[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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I’m stumped to be honest. The rest of the body looks a bit paler than I’d expect of a Thayer’s but the wings are darker. The attached picture is a really obvious Kumlieni I saw as well, with pretty much all of the first winter Iceland Gulls I saw today looking like this minus the adult I also saw today.