[Birdtalk] Farmington Bay and Help with Gull ID

[bcurrie100 at comcast.net]

I stopped by Farmington Bay early this afternoon.  The following birds were seen: 



Bald Eagle (75) 

American Pelican (65) 

Northern Shoveler 

Common Goldeneye 

Bufflehead 

California Gull 

Ring-billed Gull 

Northern Harrier 

Pied-bill Grebe (8) 

Black-billed Magpies (buidling a nest on the south side of Glover's lane, just east of the nature center entrance) 



And then in my ongoing quest to conquer my larusIDaphobia, could the experts out there in gull land please verify or correct me on the following (these are all the same bird): 



This is a second winter Herring Gull (American) with some Vega markings, but from what I have read, that is fairly common so is it really an American subtype vs. the Vega? 

Profile: http://www.pbase.com/image/109167899/original 

Breast shot: http://www.pbase.com/image/109167898/original 

Flight shot - underside (sorry it is out-of-focus [OOF]): http://www.pbase.com/image/109167901/original 

Flight shot - back: http://www.pbase.com/image/109167902/original 



Therefore, what do we have in this photo?  http://www.pbase.com/image/109167900/original   The bird in the above photos is the one in the foreground.  Is the other immature a first winter Herring Gull?  Is the adult gull that is right behind the second winter Herring Gull an adult Herring Gull?  I think I am accurate on these (but would really appreciate knowing if I am not and what are the distinguishing factors if I am not).   But the one on the right, in the far background, which one is that?  Though it is standing up and the others are swimming, you can see it is about the same size.  Though obviously OOF, the bill does not look thick enough to be a Western.  The back does look a little darker, but it is obviously facing a different direction (and IMO not nearly dark enough for a Western).  Is this just a very late 3rd Winter Herring gull that is basically one step away (the black on the bill vs. red) from being an adult?  Sorry I don't have another shot of that one.  I was mainly paying attention to the front three gulls. 



These gulls were all seen at the end of the South dike where the water lets out to the Great Salt Lake (where the Pied Bill Grebes always are).  In case any of you are wondering, that puzzled look on the first winter gull is not from looking at the rump of the Adult Herring Gull, but from a carp that was struggling. 


Your comments are greatly appreciated.  



Brian
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