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Common NameLesser Black-backed Gull
Scientific NameLarus fuscus
Type of ReportRare Species
Date of Observation04/11/2023
Media
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Number Observed1
Reporting Observer's NameDavid Hoag
Mailing Address173 W Shore Rd
Grand Isle, VT 05458
United States
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EmailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
Date Completed03/30/2025
Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)0 Inexact archaic generic lati-long from lake chart to include the general area of Pearl Bay, etc.
Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)0 as mapped near Pearl Bay.
Place NamePearl Bay / East Shore Rd North
TownshipGrand Isle
CountyGrand Isle
Vermont eBird Checklist URLebird.org
Time of Day10:10 AM
Length of Time Observed?
Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)?' near roadside
Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)?' near shore
Optical Equipment Used for Observation

300mm x 1.4mm = 420mm

Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species

yes

I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event​​.
Behaviors Observed

feeding on alewives
(majority of the gulls had finished feeding b late morning)

Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation

Photos of moving target equal field notes:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/253459339
Lesser Black-backed Gull: Matching images in Harrison; Sibley; Olsen-&-Larsson; and Grant.
Identified as Lesser Black-backed by the combination of dark primaries — no pale window in the inner primaries —
and by the dark secondaries; plus by the dark primary coverts and greater coverts which match Lesser Black-backed.
An all-black beak.
( An older Lesser Black-backed Gull was also identified at Pearl Bay later the same morning. )

Relative Size & Shape

nearly HERG-ish

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

No pale window in the dark inner primaries;
Dark secondaries;
Dark primary coverts and greater coverts;
eliminating HERG.

Other Notes & Comments

first winter immature
vs. the older dark-gray imm/adult seen later in the day.

This report was written from notes taken:Written from Memory