[Birdtalk] Re: [Birdnet] re: Another "white-winged" gull in Logan - possible ICELAND GULL?

[Tim Avery]

Cliff,

First question, what is the status of L. h. barrovianus away from known
limited breeding grounds?  I would tend to believe that this species was
even more of a rarity than an Iceland in Utah.  Yes, I know that means
nothing, but I have never even heard a report of this ssp form the state.
Does Idaho have any records?  Or any other inland Mountain West states?

Second, I'm not going to get into structure as you already went through.  I
think the pictures spoke quite clearly to the appearance of structure, which
besides the plumage was a good indicator based off the points you made.  I
believe this is an Iceland Gull.

Lastly, my comment is NOT counter-productive.  You are taking a comment
(meant loosely as a joke, as picked up by David), as something far more than
just that, a comment, one that based off past results for ICGU has a basis.
Each record ever submitted for this species has been dismissed, as a
possible hybrid.  Even birds that in my opinion were obvious Kumlien's-type
birds.  And if the UBRC were to follow the AOU guidelines in these cases
(much like California) there would be an accepted record at this point.  I
am not saying that I am "unhappy" or "dissatisfied" with the committee, if I
was I wouldn't submit records of my own, which I do.

You say the ID is "virtually impossible",  but that is a blanket statement
that really isn't true.  California had more than 6 Kumlien's-type records
that were accepted if I remember correctly, which is a pretty high number.
I think Colorado, and Wyoming also have accepted records.  Although I
believe one day the AOU will lump Thayer's and Iceland, until that time,
using the resources we have available and the standards set forth by the
AOU, there is no reason Utah shouldn't already have an accepted record for
this species.

I am not being critical of our records committee or its members (most of
whom I respect... except the Colby Neuman guy... another joke), I simply was
pointing out that this bird is a great candidate, and using a little
cynicism to get that point across.  No need to read more into my emails, I
am a pretty straight shooter.

Good Birding

Tim
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