[Birdtalk] Prothonatary Warbler in Morgan and Mew Gull on the AIC

[Glenn B. Barlow]

Today several of us went to Morgan and were able to see the Prothonatary
Warbler.  Those that saw it in the morning were Lu Giddings, Mark Stackhouse
and yours truly.  In the afternoon Merrill Webb joined with Paul Higginson
and Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld.  All were able to see the warbler and Paul
was again able to obtain more great photos.  During both morning and
afternoon sightings the warbler stayed in the neighbor’s back yard, across
the street from Arnold Smith’s home.  In the morning it was feeding in the
bushes on the north and south edge of the garden, in the hawthorne tree, as
well as in the large maple tree near the greenhouse.  It would also go to
the dried grape vines, were it would often eat small grapes and well as
forage on the ground—sometime in the dried corn patch.  Unless the bird was
in the trees, it always seemed to be foraging low in the bushes, or on the
ground.  For a time in the morning it could not be seen, but we concluded it
was probably in the maple tree at this time.  The afternoon sightings were
similar.   This was a great sighting!  Thanks to Arnold Smith for initially
reporting the bird, and for others who subsequently reported its presence.

 

After leaving Morgan, Paul led the group to AIC, to try for a possible
Black-legged Kittywake, feeding with the Bonaparte Gulls on the north side
of the last bridge, closest to the island.  The kittiwake did not
materialize/could not be located, but Merrill was able to spot a different
looking gull, which later was determined to be a Mew Gull.  I joined the
group late, but it was interesting to compare this gull to the numerous
Bonaparte’s, as well as with several Californias and Herring Gulls that were
also present.  All were feeding on brine flies.  It was interesting to watch
the delicate Bonaparte’s feed on the flies as the current from Farmington
Bay would carry them further north.  Then, all of a sudden they would take
off and return to a place near the outlet, where they would again feed.
They seemed oblivious to our presence on the eastern “balcony” overlooking
the lake. 

 

It was amidst the Bonaparte’s that Merrill spotted what was later confirmed
to be a Mew Gull, but not before consulting several field guides and
studying Paul’s photos.  Together we concluded that this was indeed a Mew
Gull, and was very similar to the photo of the immature Mew Gull in the
Kaufman Guide, on the left side of the page, nearest the binding.  We
compared this gull to the picture (photo) of the similar-aged Ring-billed
Gull and could tell the difference.  The beak was smaller and had a black
tip.  The rump was barred, as well and underneath the tail in the area of
the vent, and the primaries and secondaries showed much more white than a
similar-aged Ring-billed Gull.

 

We hope others will be able to see this gull and confirm our sighting.

 

Glenn, for the group.


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