[birdlover100]

Hello,

I was at Beacon Hill Park earlier today. I was walking around the pond close to the petting zoo when I noticed a particularly large gull wandering around a tree. I followed it a couple of minutes and then took out my camera and snapped a few shots. Is the gull photographed a glaucous gull?

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 0945068130

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 3638911170

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 0778303762

I found this Eurasian Wigeon swimming around with an American Wigeon:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 8464775314

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 3869600034

A couple of bonus shots, as well, to reward you guys on your hard id work:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 4247236946

https://picasaweb.google.com/1078113397 ... 0210817282

Thanks,

Tim Hickinaly

Victoria, BC

[Jeremy Gatten]

Hi Tim,

I believe your gull is actually just a Glaucous-winged Gull. Although the wingtips appear somewhat pale, I think they are just washed out and within the normal range of Glaucous-wingeds. The bird should have be much whiter on the wingtips, the bill isn't quite right, the eye is too dark, the mantle is bit too dark, and the head is slightly grey-streaked which is off too.

For what it's worth, I believe the female wigeon with the male is actually a Eurasian, too.

Good birding,
Jeremy Gatten
Saanichton, BC

[LoganLalonde]

I agree with Jeremy; I think it is a Glaucous-winged. I just saw an immature Glaucous in Kelowna ( at the landfill ), and it was much more bulky in build and had pure white wing-tips. I also find that Glaucous Gulls have a very "heavy" headed look and appear hunchbacked in my opinion. I will post a picture of that bird here when I can - I haven't downloaded it on to my computer yet...

Logan Lalonde