[Birdtalk] Novice asking for ID help

[LaLine]

Thanks, Kristin.  Actually, the only gull I attempted to identify by myself was the Yellow-legged Gull.  I changed the captions on the other gull pictures (and the Pochard) after Tim Avery emailed me with his suggestions.  My brain sees a gull and says "gull" and that's as far as it dares go.  :)

As for your other note, :) I'm sure my sister wouldn't mind showing you around, but you'd have to get there quick--they are being restationed to Sheppard AFB in Texas in June.

Thanks again for the help.  I'll change my captions to reflect your suggestions.

LaLine

Kristin Purdy <kristinpurdy at comcast.net> wrote:       LaLine,
  
 You did a great job photographing, researching and  identifying your birds. You're also very brave to attempt white-headed gulls and  even try to age them. You needn't wish you had our knowledge--you're ahead of  many of us with the birds you saw. 
  
 In order of the photos you presented, here are a  few comments. IMG 2131 identified as a Yellow-legged Gull(?). Our friendly  gullers on the list serv will let me know if I deserve to crash in infamy here,  but I believe this bird may be a Vega Gull, Japan's counterpart to our American  Herring. A few characters about this bird bother me, but hey, no guts, no glory.  IMG 2146, the Common Gull approaching 2nd winter--I agree on the ID, but think  this is a younger bird--first winter. IMG 2165 and 2191, identified as an  Eastern Marsh Harrier, looks like a Black Kite to me. I'm not sure  about IMG 2185, identified as a crow. The  unidentified bird at the Edo-Tokyo Architectural Museum (IMG 1429) is a Pied  Wagtail, likely a female. I agree with all the other IDs. 
  
 I stand ready to be corrected if any of our  Japan-savvy birders disagree with any of the above.  
  
 On another note, with the possibility of seeing  Tufted Ducks, Dusky Thrushes, Black Kites, and Whooper Swans, do you suppose the  rest of us could visit your sister?
  
 Kris
    ----- Original Message ----- 
   From:    LaLine    
   To: birdtalk at utahbirds.org 
   Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:57    AM
   Subject: [Birdtalk] Novice asking for ID    help
   

Hello,

I've been lurking on this list for about a year    now and I must say you are all quite amazing.  I've learned a lot just    from reading your emails about identifying and finding birds and your tips for    feeding, and on and on.  And I find your enthusiasm very catching.     I just wish I had all your knowledge!

I recently spent a couple of    weeks in Japan visiting my sister at Misawa Air Force Base.  She knew I    was interested in birding and took me to a small "bird refuge" that she had    dubbed Swan Lake.  Being a novice, I have done the best I can in    identifying all the birds I took pictures of using my North American    fieldguide (somewhat helpful since there is some overlap in ranges) and some    research on the internet, but I'm not entirely confident I've gotten things    right.  Would someone be willing to look at my pictures and give me some    tips?     

http://www.the-ray-family.com/cms/index.php?name=gallery2&g2_itemId=6180

Thanks!

LaLine    Ray      

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