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Common NameBonaparte's Gull
Scientific NameChroicocephalus philadelphia
Type of ReportOut-of-Season
Date of Observation02/03/2024
Number Observed2
Reporting Observer's NameDavid Guertin
Mailing Address1599 Route 30
Cornwall, VT 05753
United States
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EmailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
Date Completed08/09/2024
Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)44.034565
Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)-73.422104
Place NameChamplain Bridge/Chimney Point
TownshipAddison
CountyAddison
Vermont eBird Checklist URLebird.org
Time of Day02:50 PM
Length of Time Observed3 minutes
Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)5000
Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)1500
Optical Equipment Used for Observation

Hawke Endurance ED 85mm scope, 25-75x

Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species

I see Bonaparte's Gulls frequently here at the bridge, mainly in the autumn.

I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event​​.
Description of Habitat

Mid-lake, frozen near the shore and open water farther out,

Behaviors Observed

Flying over the lake

Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation

(Taken from my eBird checklist)
This was certainly a surprise. These two gulls flew through the scope as I was scanning ducks, and I watched one or both of them in flight for about 3 minutes. Small gulls with black wing tips and narrow black band on the inner wing forming a not very clear "M". Black terminal tail band, black spot on side of head. At one point they flew by a Ring-billed Gull, and the smaller size and quicker wing beats were obvious. They spent most of the time flying over the edge of the ice and eventually disappeared toward the NY side of the lake.

IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different?

The only other small gull that would be likely would be a Little Gull, but this bird did not have the bold M pattern of an immature Little Gull. I did not rule out Black-headed Gull, but that would be exceedingly unlikely.

This report was written from notes taken:Written from Memory