| Common Name | Little Gull |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydrocoloeus minutus |
| Type of Report | Out-of-Season |
| Date of Observation | 05/09/2021 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | David Hoag |
| Mailing Address | 173 W Shore Rd Grand Isle, VT 05458 US Minor Outlying Islands Map It |
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| Date Completed | 08/09/2021 |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 44.7144 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -73.345 ~~ -73.355 |
| Place Name | Lake Champlain (173 W Shore Rd, G. I.) |
| Township | Grand Isle |
| County | Grand Isle |
| Vermont eBird Checklist URL | ebird.org |
| Time of Day | 07:50 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | a minute (or two) ? |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | ? |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | ? |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | SW 5mph Wind. c. 45+°F. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | 42 X 122 Nikkor spotting scope |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | Closing in on a total of 200? Little Gulls (per eBird records) observed during Autumn migration — only a few [8?] seen before during Spring migration — while enjoying the presence of Bonaparte's Gulls off shore here at home. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | [Checking the lake at random intervals in early morning, an old habit.] Bonaparte's Gulls observed 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, and 13 May 2021. At 06:15 on 09 May, I watched Bonaparte's Gulls for 10 minutes; and I again watched 300-500 Bonaparte's Gulls flying by for circa 20 minutes at 07:30. Near the tail end of the south-bound flight of Bonaparte's Gulls, the Little Gull in full breeding plumage flew south on the far side of the flock. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Smaller gull than the Bonaparte's Gulls. Black under-wings. Fluttery flight of a Little Gull. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | Smaller gull than the Bonaparte's Gulls. Black under-wings. Fluttery flight of a Little Gull. Too small and flight unlike that of a Black-headed Gull, which would have less black under the wings (and be much less likely to be associated with Bonaparte's Gulls!). Too distant to see minor details like nostril width and toe-nail color. |
| Other Notes & Comments | eBird maps of April/May, show that the Lake Champlain migration pathway is utilized by Little Gulls as well as by Bonaparte's Gulls. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Immediately After |
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